"Born and raised a slave, Frederick Douglass (1817?-1895) made two escape attempts before reaching freedom, educated himself against all odds, and became a leading abolitionist and spokesperson for African Americans." "My Bondage and My freedom is his account of his life, and that of slaves generally, in antebellum Maryland. Just as impressive as Douglass's gift for conveying the stark terrors and daily humiliations of slavery is his perceptive understanding of its demeaning effects on slaveholders and overseers as well."

"Douglass's description of his life after slavery includes his entry into the antislavery movement, his flight to Great Britain to escape capture, and his return to the United States a free man to carry on the struggle for the liberation of African Americans." "This unabridged 1855 edition includes a new introduction by scholar of African American philosophy Bill E. Lawson, an appendix including extracts from Douglass's speeches, and a fascinating letter written by Douglass in his later years to his former master."--Cover.