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Up from Slavery

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Up from Slavery

By: Booker T. Washington
Narrated by: Noah Waterman
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About this listen

Booker T. Washington fought his way out of slavery to become an educator, statesman, political shaper, and proponent of the "do-it-yourself" idea. In his autobiography, he describes his early life as a slave on a Virginia plantation, his steady rise during the Civil War, his struggle for education, his schooling at the Hampton Institute, and his years as founder and president of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, which was devoted to helping minorities learn useful, marketable skills.

He gives an account of his travels, speeches, and meetings with various leaders, including Theodore Roosevelt in the White House. Employing a didactic tone, Washington deftly sets forth his belief that the Black man’s salvation lies in education, industriousness, and self-reliance. This is the true-life story of a man of real courage and dedication.

Booker Taliaferro Washington (1856-1915), founder of Tuskegee Institute, was a leading educator, author, and statesman who rose from slavery to become internationally famous.

Public Domain (P)1995 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Americas Cultural & Regional Historical Racism & Discrimination Social Sciences State & Local United States Discrimination War Civil War Social justice Biography Classics Africa

Critic Reviews

"Remains one of the most important works on such an influential African American leader." (Professor Delia Crutchfield Cook, University of Maryland)
"This book is a must-[listen]." (Professor Warren C. Swindell, Indiana State University)
All stars
Most relevant  
amazing story from absolute poverty to one of the most influential people in history knowing through the world not just the south well worth reading you will actually learn some good life lessons.

Literally A key figure in history

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Born a slave, Booker's thirst for knowledge saw him having to hustle in order to learn to read and became more learned than his teachers.
He dreamed that to be a student in a class room was akin to being in heaven.
Still a young child when his family were emancipated, he was put to work in a coal mine.
As he grew and his awareness of worldly matters developed, his drive saw him attain a formal qualification. From there, he went on to make an indelible mark on the education landscape of Alabama.

A story or triumphing over adversity.

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Amazing life, amazing man. What an inspiration! This book should be mandatory for school students .

What a life!

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My journey with Black History in the USA continues with this outstanding autobiography of Booker T Washington.

Published in 1901, the author tells the story of his emancipation in 1865, his appointment as head of the Tuskegee Institute and his subsequent popularity after his speech at the Altlanta Exposition of 1895.

I would say that Booker’s methodology is more akin to Rev King than to Malcom X and I do wonder what both of those men thought of this important historical figure.

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A Persistent Advocate for the People

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Although his adult life as an educator was highly commendable it was his early years when he had nothing as a young fella that was the most interesting.

Poverty

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.