Bibliography
Through the actions of the Arts Subcommittee of the Frederick Douglass Institute, the following is a recommended reading list of titles available in the Manderino Library. We encourage all to take advantage of the resources available.
BOOKS
Approaches to Teaching "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass" / edited by James C. Hall.
The principle objective of the volume is to collect different points of view on teaching the specific literary work at an undergraduate level. Sponsored by the Modern Language Association's Publications Committee.
Classic American Autobiographies / edited by William L. Andrews.
A collection of five classic autobiographies featuring the autobiography of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, a New England minister's wife captured by native Americans, Benjamin Franklin, Frederick Douglass, Mark Twain, and Zitkala-Sa, a proud Sioux Indian woman raised in a Quaker school. A unifying passion makes each of these works important as history and as literature.
Frederick Douglass / Pat Lantier.
Part of the Raintree Biographies series, the book presents an introduction to the life of the runaway, who became an abolitionist, a crusader for women's rights, and an advisor to President Abraham Lincoln. Grade level 2-3.
Frederick Douglass / Catherine A. Welch.
An appealing life story from the History Maker Bios series. Written in a conversational tone for grades 3-5. An inspirational portrait of Douglass' hard years as a slave and his daring escape, as well as his later work to abolish slavery. Covers the controversial topic of Douglass' second marriage to a white woman.
Frederick Douglass / Diane Yancey.
Part of the Lucent Books Heroes and Villains biography Series for grades 6-9. Profiles the life and deeds of one of history's most riveting figures. Examines the events and personal experiences that turned Frederick Douglass toward acts of heroism.
Frederick Douglass: A Critical Reader / edited by Bill E. Lawson and Frank M. Kirkland.
Explores his work by way of the field of philosophy to show that Douglass' many texts and speeches are filled with explicit and implicit philosophical themes and arguments.
Frederick Douglass: Abolitionist Editor / Sharman Apt Russell.
An eloquent and powerful portrayal of the abolitionist and editor with careful descriptions of some of the incidents which caused outrage and great concern, such as his second marriage to a white woman 20 years his junior and his split from William Lloyd Garrison. For Grade 6 and up. Part of the series, "Black Americans of Achievement".
Frederick Douglass and the Fight for Freedom / Douglas T. Miller.
Into Douglass' life is woven some of the issues and controversies of his day. It balances his unquestioned achievements with his limitations, such as his declining influence on reform movements following the Civil War and his jeopardizing his position as chief spokesman for the black people due to his desire for political position and a pursuit of power. Part of the Makers of America series for Grade 8 and up.
Frederick Douglass and the War Against Slavery / Evelyn Bennett.
A brief introduction into the life of a significant African American. A recounting of the man's life from slave to presidential advisor without being overly detailed or too simplistic. Grades 3-5.
Frederick Douglass for the Great Family of Man / Peter Burchard.
Readers see his advocacy and are given a glimpse into his personal life and his work outside the United States to bring equality to blacks and other oppressed groups all over the world. Grade 8 and up.
Frederick Douglass: Freedom's Voice, 1818-1845 / Gregory P. Lampe.
A study of his early years, 1841-1845, when Douglass was polishing his oratorical style and sharpening his powers of persuasion in advancing the cause of abolishing slavery in the South and ending racial prejudice in the North. The author disputes the conventional view that he came to his calling without preparation, citing his knowledge of slave oral tradition and his lay preaching in a black church.
Frederick Douglass on Women's Rights / edited by Philip S. Foner.
A collection of speeches and writings taken directly from manuscripts at the Library of Congress showing his strongly held views in support of absolute equality for women.
Frederick Douglass Speaking Out Against Slavery / Anne Schraff.
Part of Enslow Publishers' African-American Biographies series. Another retelling of the story of the slave who learned to read and write as a boy, then escaped slavery to forge a new life for himself as a free man. For ages 9-12.
The Frederick Douglass You Never Knew / James Lincoln Collier.
Story of the slave whose intelligence and determination led him to escape to freedom, and to speak and write about his personal experiences to help the abolitionist charge.
Frederick Douglass Civil War: Keeping Faith in Jubilee / David W. Blight.
Explores the effect of the Civil War and Reconstruction on the thought of the best known black orator, newspaper editor, and abolitionist of the 19th century, probing the tension between his private views and his public role.
Learning About Dedication From the Life of Frederick Douglass / Sam Marlowe.
The format, large print and glossary are well suited to reluctant readers or ESL students. Material is very simplified and no sources are listed. Basic encyclopedic text for grades 1-3.
Liberating Sojourn: Frederick Douglass & Transatlantic Reform / edited by Alan J. Rice and Martin Crawford. A book of essays by international scholars that seeks to internationalize the study of Frederick Douglass, illustrating the importance of the years 1845-1847 to his political maturation. His relationship with the international abolitionist movement is discussed as well as his importance to Irish and Scottish politics.
Life and Times of Frederick Douglass / Frederick Douglass.
A facsimile edition of the work which contributed strongly to the African American struggle for freedom and equality. Told in his own words.
Life and Times of Frederick Douglass / Frederick Douglass.
Expanded version of the autobiography he published in England.
Lincoln and Slavery / Peter Burchard.
Provides readers with a rich understanding of the preeminence of slavery as a political and moral issue in 19th century America, while placing Lincoln's story in historical context and showing how he was influenced by events of the era. For grades 6 and up.
Love Across Color Lines: Ottilie Assing & Frederick Douglass / Maria Diedrich.
Vital aspects of Douglass' personal life, largely overlooked by previous biographers are uncovered. The important and little-known 28 year love relationship between the great abolitionist and a German- Jewish journalist is discussed that ultimately ended in her suicide after his remarriage to another woman.
My Bondage and my Freedom / Frederick Douglass.
His second autobiography is the most accomplished rendering of his life on literary and philosophical terms.
Narrative of the Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave / Frederick Douglass.
His eloquent and dramatic autobiography published in 1845 showing his power of expression.
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave / Frederick Douglass.
The book which marked the beginning of Douglass' career as an impassioned writer, journalist, and orator for the abolitionist cause. A classic of American autobiography.
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave & Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl / Frederick Douglass & Harriet Jacobs.
The two most important African American slave narratives are combined in one volume. Harriet Jacobs' book is the most comprehensive antebellum slave narrative written by a woman.
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave: Authoritative Text, Contexts, Criticism / edited by William L. Andrews and William S. McFeely.
The Norton Critical Edition reprints the 1845 first edition with explanatory annotations accompanying the text. Included are the little-known preface written in 1846 for the second Irish edition of his Narrative, letters, autobiographical portraits of his parents, passages originally not used in the work, speeches and reminiscences. There are also 6 essential assessments of the book's historical and literary significance.
A Picture Book of Frederick Douglass / David A. Adler.
Handsomely designed volume suited for ages 4-9 to incorporate into social studies instruction. Tells the story of the man who became the leader in the abolitionist movement in the nineteenth century.
Slave Counterpoint: Black Culture in the Eighteenth-Century Chesapeake & Lowcountry / Philip D. Morgan. A detailed comparison of the Lowcountry & Chesapeake slave cultures. Winner of the first (1999) Frederick Douglass Book Prize.
The Teachers & Writers Guide to Frederick Douglass / edited by Wesley Brown. A book of personal essays dealing with the experiences of writers teaching Frederick Douglass' autobiography to a generation unfamiliar with his life.
They Had a Dream: the Civil Rights Struggle from Frederick Douglass to Marcus Garvey to Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X / Jules Archer. Dialogue and excerpts from speeches and writings are woven through accounts of the private lives of four civil rights leaders. For ages 10 and up.
Three Classic African-American Novels / edited by William L. Andrews. Brings together the first three novels written by African-Americans in the 1850's: The Heroic Slave, Frederick Douglass' fictional account of a mutiny aboard the slave ship Creole; Clotel, William Wells Brown's expose of slavery, and Our Nig, Harriet E. Wilson's struggles for economic independence and self-respect.
Voice of Freedom: a Story About Frederick Douglass / Maryann N. Weidt.
An intriguing narrative that is interesting for both children and adults. Part of the Carolrhoda Creative Minds Biographies series. Grades 3-6.
Uncle Tom's Cabin / Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Oxford University Press' special 150th anniversary edition of the American classic. Features a new introduction by Charles Johnson.
Young Frederick Douglass: The Slave Who Learned to Read / Linda Walvoord Girard. Based on Douglass' autobiographical writings, this brief biography reads like a novel with its use of dialogue and descriptions of thoughts and feelings. For grades 3-5.
VIDEOS
African American History and the Confederacy / C-SPAN.
Scholars talk about African-Americans, the institution of slavery, and the history of the South and Confederacy. Length 1:57.
Civil Rights Issues / C-SPAN.
In a forum titled "A Politically Incorrect Conversation: 45 Years of Struggle, Vision and Victory", participants talk about the civil rights movement, the present state of race relations, youth activism, and voting rights. Length 1:51.
Frederick Douglass Book Prize / C-SPAN.
David Eltis received the 2000 annual Frederick Douglass Book Prize for his book, "The Rise of African Slavery in the Americas", published by Cambridge University Press. Length 1:00.
Frederick Douglass Book Prize Dinner / C-SPAN.
Officials of the Gilder Lehrman Institute presented the 2001 Frederick Douglass Book Prize to David Blight for his book, "Race and Reunion: the Civil War in American Memory". The book tells the story of how the Civil War was remembered 50 years after Appomattox. Length 1:09.
Frederick Douglass Impact / C-SPAN.
Participants talk about the impact Frederick Douglass, his writings and his orations had on American culture. Length 1:46.
Frederick Douglass Library / C-SPAN.
Ms. Walker talks about items from Frederick Douglass' library that are in storage until the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site is ready to display them. Length 0:06.
Frederick Douglass Prize for Best Book on Slavery / C-SPAN.
The first Frederick Douglass Prize for a book on slavery or abolition was shared in 1999 by Professor Ira Berlin of the University of Maryland and Professor Philip B. Morgan of the College of William and Mary. Speakers talk about the history of slavery in the U.S. and about documenting and writing about slavery. Length 1:14.
A More Perfect Union / C-SPAN.
Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr. discusses his book, "A More Perfect Union: Advancing New American Rights" and leads a discussion of U.S. history with professors. Interpreters recreate the all black 54th Massachusetts Infantry in the Union Army, the formation of the 46th Virginia Infantry, Company I and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Length 1:56.
North to Freedom / C-SPAN.
Fred Morsell portrays Frederick Douglass and answers questions form the audience in character. He focused on the hypocrisy of a nation which celebrated liberty yet held African Americans in bondage. Scholars then discuss the importance of Douglass in the context of the antebellum era. Length 2:40. Parts 1 and 2.
Slavery Throughout History: Resistance / C-SPAN.
Participants talked about the history of slavery from antiquity through the New World experience, focusing on various resistance efforts. Length 1:19.
Underground Railroad / History Channel.
Story of a 200 year struggle to break the bonds of slavery in the American South with secret codes, hidden way-stations and clandestine "conductors". Length 1:40
Voice of Freedom / C-SPAN.
Maryann Weidt speaks with 6th graders about her children's biography, "Voice of Freedom: a Story About Frederick Douglass", which was published by Carolrhoda Books. Length: 0:59.
Writings of Frederick Douglass / C-SPAN.
Broadcast from his former home, the program examines the history of slavery and freedom in 19th century America through the writings of Frederick Douglass. Length 2:21.
DVD
Biography: Frederick Douglass / A&E Biography.
Story of the abolitionist and his struggle for equality. Length: 0:50.
AUDIO TAPES
The Lesson of the Hour / Fred Morsell as Frederick Douglass.
Frederick Douglass' last great speech delivered January 9, 1894 at the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. He exposes the injustices, frantic rage and savage extravagances exacted upon African Americans after the Civil War and explores the attitudes and mindsets which create racism in the U.S. Length 0:71.
The Meaning of the 4th of July for the Negro / Fred Morsell as Frederick Douglass.
The greatest anti-slavery speech leading to the Civil War, which was delivered to the Rochester, New York Ladies Anti-Slavery Society to commemorate the U.S. 76th birthday in 1852. It calls upon all Americans to transcend race and make justice and freedoms celebrated by white Americans on the 4th of July a reality for all Americans. Length 0:47.
CD's
The Lesson of the Hour / Fred Morsell as Frederick Douglass.
The Meaning of the 4th of July for the Negro / Fred Morsell as Frederick Douglass.