School Library Journal Review
Gr 8-10-Born a slave in Maryland in 1818, Douglass became an important crusader against slavery and one of the most popular orators of the 19th century. This biography, however, does not do him justice. Esty approaches his subject familiarly, calling him "Frederick" rather than "Douglass." The man's courage, determination, and intellect are given their due, but no mention is made of the scandals surrounding him, including several affairs and the poor treatment of his first wife. Sepia-toned illustrations appear throughout. David A. Adler's Frederick Douglass: A Noble Life (Holiday House, 2010) is a more thorough biography of this fascinating and complicated public figure.-Rebecca Donnelly, Loma Colorado Public Library, Rio Rancho, NM (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
These texts tell the life stories of two vocal nineteenth-century abolitionists: one a Boston journalist (Garrison) and the other an author and former slave (Douglass). The volumes describe how each man made important personal and professional contributions that helped shaped the anti-slavery movement; their lives also intersected in interesting ways. Many archival images support the solid narratives. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. [Review covers these Civil Rights Leaders titles: The Liberator, and Unbound and Unbroken.] (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
With his passionate activism and courageous leadership, escaped slave Douglass changed history, and this gripping biography in the Civil Rights Leaders series will hook readers with discussions of the larger political issues as well as the subject's personal struggles. This biography addresses the bitter conflicts within the abolitionist movement over such issues as tactics, the role of women, religion, and the meaning of the Constitution, as well as the use of violence and the revolts of Nat Turner and John Brown. Of course, Douglass' autobiographical writing is the main source material for Unbound and Unbroken, and Esty features the stirring accounts of Douglass secretly teaching himself to read, his escape, and his passionate speeches. The design of the series is readable, with spacious type and many kinds of illustrations, including color and sepia photos, paintings, and reproductions of famous documents. Young researchers will also find extensive back matter with a detailed time line, chapter notes, and a bibliography of books and websites.--Rochman, Hazel Copyright 2010 Booklist