My Bondage and My Freedom

In this expanded second autobiography, Frederick Douglass tells the full story of his life in bondage and his escape to freedom, going far beyond his famous first Narrative to reflect deeply on the psychology of slavery, the corrupting power it held over masters and slaves alike, and his growth into a leading abolitionist and orator. Written with force, dignity, and searching intelligence, it is both a gripping personal story and a profound analysis of American slavery and freedom. Richer and more reflective than his earlier work, My Bondage and My Freedom is one of the greatest of all slave narratives and a landmark of African American literature and thought.