School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up-"All good men have lost a comrade in the fight for the legal emancipation of one race and the spiritual emancipation of all." In 1892, these were the words used to describe the "Noble Life" of Frederick Douglass, a man from the humblest of beginnings who became a powerful and prolific opponent of slavery and injustice. With careful attention to historical detail, Adler presents a compelling exploration of Douglass's personal journey as well as an examination of his astute observations of the psychological effects of the institution of slavery on both the enslaved and the masters. A standout in the book is the description of the brutality of Douglass's childhood as a slave with an account of his near starvation and physical abuse that clearly demonstrates what ignited his passion for freedom for himself and others. A meeting between himself as an adult and one of his former masters is particularly mesmerizing. Photographs and engravings of Douglass at work, with his family, his home, and the office where he printed his famous newspaper, The North Star, remind readers that he was a real person, vulnerable and yet hopeful in his determination that all people would experience freedom. This well-written and absorbing read is an important inclusion for all collections. Extensive notes, important dates, and a thorough index are appended.-Margaret Auguste, Franklin Middle School, Somerset, NJ (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
This well-researched volume recounts, in fluid prose, the life of Frederick Douglass, from tortured slave (finally escaping in 1838), to world renowned orator, statesman, and heroic leader of the abolitionist movement. Throughout the text, Adler incorporates Douglass's own words, reinforcing the message of freedom and education for today's readers. Many photographs, sketches, historical documents, and newspaper clippings illustrate the volume. Timeline. Bib., ind. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Adler reports the life and times of the noted abolitionist in an attractive volume following an earlier treatment for younger readers (A Picture Book of Frederick Douglass, illustrated by Samuel Byrd, 1993). After an opening scene in which Douglass fights back against his cruel master, Edward Covey, the straightforward narrative proceeds with a birth-to-death portrait of the great American, from slavery to the lecture circuit, John Brown, the Civil War, marriage and later years. Archival photographs, engravings, posters, advertisements, newspaper articles and a page from a draft of Lincoln's preliminary Emancipation Proclamation complement the text, which, like many biographies for young readers that earnestly portray the noble and heroic, doesn't explore the complexities that make history interesting. Douglass's relationship with President Lincoln, for example, was more problematic than presented hereDouglass more critical, Lincoln playing closer to the vest. The great strength of this well-documented work is the use of Douglass's own words in the telling, making him come alive for young readers. An important resource, despite flaws. (timeline, source notes, bibliography, picture credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10 up)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Adler, the author of more than 200 books for young readers, has now written a thoroughly researched, lucidly written biography of the great Frederick Douglass. Born a slave in 1817 or 1818 (the date is uncertain), Douglass fled to freedom in 1838 and subsequently became one of America's most celebrated abolitionists, orators, and passionate champions of freedom for African Americans. His autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, published in 1845, became a best-seller and catapulted him to fame. Of course, any story of Douglass is also the story of slavery, and Adler does an excellent job of exploring the atrocities and dehumanizing indignities that America's peculiar institution visited on those who lived in slavery. As demonstrated by Adler's generous use of quotations from Douglass' own writings, many of the most dramatic of these abominations are the ones that Douglass himself suffered both before and after he became a free man. Though Adler may sometimes be too much an advocate for Douglass, giving too little attention to some of the many controversies that visited Douglass' life and career, he nevertheless clearly demonstrates that Douglass was, indeed, one of the great men of the nineteenth century.--Cart, Michael Copyright 2010 Booklist
