The Life of Frederick Douglass: A Graphic Narrative of a Slave's Journey from Bondage to Freedom

by David F. Walker

Paperback, 2019

Status

Available

Call number

973.8092

Genres

Graphic Novels

Graphic Novels and Comics

Comics

Nonfiction

Collection

Adult Graphic Books - Discarded

Publication

Ten Speed Press (2019), Edition: NO-VALUE, 192 pages

Description

Recently returned to the cultural spotlight, Frederick Douglass's impact on American history is felt even in today's current events. Comic book writer and filmmaker David F. Walker joins with the art team of Damon Smyth and Marissa Louise to bring the long, exciting, and influential life of Douglass to life in comic book form. Taking you from Douglass's life as a young slave through his forbidden education to his escape and growing prominence as a speaker, abolitionist, and influential cultural figure during the Civil War and beyond, The Life of Frederick Douglass presents a complete illustrated portrait of the man who stood up and spoke out for freedom and equality. Along the way, special features provide additional background on the history of slavery in the United States, the development of photography (which would play a key role in the spread of Douglass's image and influence), and the Civil War. Told from Douglass's point of view and based on his own writings, The Life of Frederick Douglass provides an up-close-and-personal look at a history-making American who was larger than life. -- Amazon.com.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member froxgirl

There are so many biographies and tributes to this remarkable man, but the graphic novel format, with well-selected words and mighty pictures, might be the best all-around way to tell his monumental story. Although Douglass wrote three autobiographies, in the interest of readability, liberties are

taken in creating dialogue that is imagined rather than making it all direct quotations from his works. The most critical times of his life – the violence of the plantation, learning to read, escaping to freedom, meetings with John Brown, Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, William Lloyd Garrison, Susan B. Anthony, and, in his later years, pressing on for civil rights after the Civil War was over - are all magnificently depicted here. And his doubts about himself - "I have thought myself lacking the courage of those like Harriet Tubman" - show that even our most revered champions sometimes feel deficient when the tasks seem insurmountable and when change takes forever to come about. This novel is a most valuable resource for both children and adult readers.

Quotes (foreword): "In the minds of many Americans, slavery exists more as an abstract concept than as a harsh reality of dehumanizing, forced labor. Millions of Africans and their descendants had been reduced to nothing but property."

(Douglass) "Slavery has proven itself to be the strongman of our nation. The Confederacy cornerstone is formed by two steadfast ideas: that slavery is a right and that slaveholders are superior to those they enslave."

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LibraryThing member villemezbrown

This two-fisted, dramatized biography of Frederick Douglass does a pretty good job of keeping the story flowing. The rough-hewn art really adds atmosphere even if it is lacking in authenticity (a poorly drawn axe and anachronistic cash register and revolving pistol stand out). A good introduction

to an important figure in American history.

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LibraryThing member LibroLindsay

This is not the flashiest of graphic literature, though considering much of Douglass's life was spent as an orator, I think this did a pretty good job at providing an introduction to his life and work. It's volumes such as these that make me wish more like this was available in high school to add

more dynamism and context to the past than the droning lectures of my US history teacher ever delivered. I may have been more excited about seeking out primary sources.

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