Frederick Douglass: Self-Made Man

Good book I enjoyed it but if you’re going to read one book about Douglass you should actually read the words of Frederick Douglass. Douglass is a better writer than Sandefur, and I am sure that Sandefur would agree. What I liked about the book is that he provides a bit of context into the backstory of Douglass’s life. The ideological battles between William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass. Garrison’s idea of no Union with Slaveholders was a northern secessionist idea. That New England should break away from the Union and should not compromise with South. This was nearly identical ideology of Southern Secessionists during the War. The last chapter is nice where he compares the views of Booker T Washington vs. W.E.B. Dubois and Frederick Douglass. In the authors view Douglass would have adopted the strategy of Dubois and ideology of Washington.Douglass’s views of the Constitution identity politics and the nations founding civil rights are out of favor with many in the black community. Ta-Nehisi Coates said that this nation was founded on the idea of white supremacy. While Douglass said that the Constitution and the founding documents of this country “was a glorious document of liberty”. He consistently held the ideas of John Locke and the founding fathers that the role of government to protect the property of its citizens and leave them alone. But Douglass also criticized the hypocrisy of the American system and criticized Americans for failing to live up to those high ideals. His goals was not to destroy the American system and the American constitution his goal was to be included in it. With Douglass’s constant cries of equality under the law and they should be best left alone. The Essential Douglass: Selected Writings and Speeches

In the words of my eight-year-old son: “Frederick Douglass is cool!” Timothy Sandefur’s new book on Douglass is a pithy account of why he is so cool. In this tightly and clearly written account of Douglass’ life and legacy, Sandefur persuasively makes the case that Douglass is an important and central figure of 19th century American politics and should be for the 20th and 21st centuries as well. He highlights the nuance, depth, and breadth of Douglass’ intellectual achievements: not just on the abolition movement but also on constitutional and political theory more broadly.Sandefur shows how Douglass’s ideas, style, and methods influenced in various ways thinkers and activists such as Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois, and Martin Luther King, Jr. He details Douglass’ self-made rise from bondage to dining with and influencing U.S. Presidents.The one “problem” with the book is that it will inspire you to go out and read more about Douglass and by Douglass.

At age 69, for whatever reasons, I don't want minute details that I will never remember. The author does a wonderful job of condensing into 140 pages, where others, perhaps "academics," would waste an additional 400 pages. Bravo!!The rub of the 1 star reviews that the author is engaging in historical revisionism should be laid to rest. The huge elephant in the room is Douglas' turn away from Garrison when he started his own publication in Rochester. Douglas saw the U.S. Constitution as a friend to liberty, not a slave document. This is absolutely confirmed by the crisp, clear prose of Fredrick Douglas himself.I reject another 1 star that speaks to historical revisionism because the author relies on Douglas' autobiographies and not his speeches. Well, I haven't read his speeches, but "Self-Made Man" is the title of his most famous speech. The title alone provides insight that Douglas didn't think like a modern "Progressive."For myself, the best story is not about Covey, but receiving two pieces of silver for voluntarily shoveling a woman's coal into her coal storage area. That story displays the essence of humanity, and the idea presented by George Gilder that capitalism is the presentation of gifts to the world and the joy of knowing your gift was worthy by having received a gift of value in return.Read the book and learn how other Americans have thought. And, for heaven sakes, don't listen to the 1 star scolds who wish for you to shut down your own ability to think.

I happen to be a huge fan of the author, Mr. Sandefur, having heard him interviewed on many subjects. I find him to be a brilliant libertarian mind. I ordered this book as soon as it came out and have since purchased it for nearly everyone I know (mostly for their children). This book not only gave me a lesson on a truly monumental man, but also a vivid and accurate perspective on our constitution, slavery, the abolishonist movement, the civil war, the reconstruction, and the civil rights movement. I have a newfound appreciation for an incredibly fascinating and historically pivotal man. It's not a 1000 page slog. It's a quick and enthralling read. I'm about ready to buy more copies!

What I loved about Timothy Sandefur's take is that it examines the abolitionist leader's life in a radical way -- departing from politically correct rehashings to view to present Douglass as he saw himself: Self-made, independent, individualistic, ambitious, and yes, even patriotic. While most of us know the basics of Douglass' life -- which he himself told in his multiple autobiographies -- Sandefur challenges the conventional wisdom with original research, deftly analysed and articulated, making a compelling case that Douglass was not about serving others -- far from it, he had an incredibly strong sense of self, and esteem based on individual achievement, the antithesis of race collectivism. Sandefur's story is not just a history of who Douglass was -- but an aspirational narrative of who each one of us may choose to be.

Great book about a great if not forgotten American. A man born into slavery who became the greatest orator and most passionate advocate and abolitionist for freeing the millions of slave in the South. Outstanding.