Up From Slavery

Description

Historically acknowledged as one of America's most powerful orators, Washington challenged racial prejudice in a time when such behaviour from a black man was unheard of. Up From Slavery is the dramatic, autobiographical account of how he stood fast against the social and ideological bias prevalent in his day. Vividly recounting Washington's life - his childhood as a slave, his struggle for education, the founding and presidency of the Tuskegee Institute and meetings with the country's leaders - it tells the story of a truly amazing man.

Booker T. Washington (1856-1915) was born a slave on a Virginia farm. Later freed, he headed and developed the Tuskegee Institute and became a leader in education. Widely considered a spokesman for his people, he emphasized social concern in three books as well as his autobiography. Ishmael Reed is one of America's most renowned African-American writers. He is the author of plays, poetry and novels, including Japanese by Spring. He lives in Oakland, California.