I am a newbie when it comes to the history of America or on the topic of slavery or the American Civil War. But what I love about the American pop-culture like movies or graphic novels is that they make all these topics in a fascinating and extremely accessible manner to a layperson like me.

I have been hearing about the name "Frederick Douglass" in my social media feed for quite a while. So a graphic novel on him really intrigued me, as it is relatively easy to read and finish it. This book is such a great and quick primer into the era of slavery, American Civil War, Abraham Lincoln through the lens of Frederick Douglass. For a complete newbie like me, this was a fantastic crash course of history on the perils of slavery and the formation of USA.

I was able to relate to a similar person in India's history, Periyar (EV Ramasamy) with Frederick Douglass.

When Frederick's youth is faced with the brutality of slavery, Periyar experienced the cruelty of casteism & brahmin dominance. Periyar was economically well to do and privileged, Frederick had good circle friends with which he could even move to England and pay and free himself from the slave masters.

If Frederick was known for the abolition of slavery, Periyar was known for his atheism and rationality movement. But when slavery was getting addressed, Frederick lent his voice for the woman suffrage. Periyar very vocal and known for fighting for equality for women.

Both of them lived longer in their old ages and remarried a much younger woman. Both of them had written a lot, ran a newspaper and spoke vociferously for the cause they stood. Both of them had their imprints and influence in history for their countrymen.

It may look like a cursory comparison, but I couldn't avoid it when reading this graphic novel. Highly recommend it, if you are curious about the politics and history of USA. ( )

I previously read one of Douglass' autobiographies way back in 2001, so it was high time for a refresher. In this mesmerizing graphic adaptation of his astonishing life, from being born into slavery and escaping bondage to becoming one of the most well-respected orators and human rights advocates of his time, David Walker, Damon Smyth and Marissa Louise have thoughtfully created a work of art with honesty, reverence and emotion. Well done. ( )

This is not the flashiest of graphic literature, though considering much of Douglass's life was spent as an orator, I think this did a pretty good job at providing an introduction to his life and work. It's volumes such as these that make me wish more like this was available in high school to add more dynamism and context to the past than the droning lectures of my US history teacher ever delivered. I may have been more excited about seeking out primary sources. ( )

A great introduction to a man who helped define the US and needs to be better known by everyone. ( )

This two-fisted, dramatized biography of Frederick Douglass does a pretty good job of keeping the story flowing. The rough-hewn art really adds atmosphere even if it is lacking in authenticity (a poorly drawn axe and anachronistic cash register and revolving pistol stand out). A good introduction to an important figure in American history. ( )

There are so many biographies and tributes to this remarkable man, but the graphic novel format, with well-selected words and mighty pictures, might be the best all-around way to tell his monumental story. Although Douglass wrote three autobiographies, in the interest of readability, liberties are taken in creating dialogue that is imagined rather than making it all direct quotations from his works. The most critical times of his life – the violence of the plantation, learning to read, escaping to freedom, meetings with John Brown, Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, William Lloyd Garrison, Susan B. Anthony, and, in his later years, pressing on for civil rights after the Civil War was over - are all magnificently depicted here. And his doubts about himself - "I have thought myself lacking the courage of those like Harriet Tubman" - show that even our most revered champions sometimes feel deficient when the tasks seem insurmountable and when change takes forever to come about. This novel is a most valuable resource for both children and adult readers.

Quotes (foreword): "In the minds of many Americans, slavery exists more as an abstract concept than as a harsh reality of dehumanizing, forced labor. Millions of Africans and their descendants had been reduced to nothing but property."

(Douglass) "Slavery has proven itself to be the strongman of our nation. The Confederacy cornerstone is formed by two steadfast ideas: that slavery is a right and that slaveholders are superior to those they enslave." ( )