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Communications Committee

Branch Book Read: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass An American Slave


Blake Chamberlain ©2013

As part of its commemoration of the 200th birthday this year of renowned abolitionist, orator, author, and statesman Frederick Douglass, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP has adopted the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass An American Slave, Written by Himself as a Branch Book Read. First published in 1845, the Narrative became a key text of the abolitionist movement, with nine editions and some 30,000 copies sold by the eve of the Civil War. The Library of Congress designated it one of 88 “books that shaped America.” Centered on the gripping story of the author’s experience of and flight from slavery, it also is a call to political activism and a reminder of the power of literacy. The branch is hosting a discussion of the Narrative for members and community members at Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill on Tuesday, March 20 beginning at 7pm. Copies of the book may be obtained there, at the public library, or online at http://docsouth.unc.edu/neh/douglass/douglass.html.

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