Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave
- Approximate level
- B1
- Length
- 41,300 words
- Reading time
- 3 h 26 min
- Chapters
- 15
- Language
- English
- On Project Gutenberg since
- 2006
Scan to get the app
This autobiography recounts the life of Frederick Douglass under the system of American slavery during the nineteenth century. The text uses formal, nineteenth-century vocabulary that reflects the historical context of the abolitionist movement. You will encounter complex sentence structures and sophisticated rhetorical arguments that require careful reading. The narrative focuses on themes of human rights, personal identity, and the psychological impact of bondage. It is a challenging but essential work for understanding the history of the United States through a personal lens.
58,389 downloads on Project Gutenberg
Subjects
- Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895
- African American abolitionists -- Biography
- Abolitionists -- United States -- Biography
- Enslaved persons -- United States -- Biography
Questions about this book
What level of English do I need for this book?
The estimate is B1, based on how common the words are and how long the sentences run. It is an approximation, not a test result. With a translation under every sentence you can start one level earlier than you would with a paper copy.
Is this book really free?
Yes. The text is in the public domain and comes from Project Gutenberg, so it costs nothing. In Lingo7 you open the book and read the first page for free; a subscription unlocks the whole library, the audio and the word practice.
How does reading with a translation work?
Lingo7 shows the original sentence and, right under it, the same sentence in your language. Tap a word to see what it means, hear it, and save it for practice. The translation is made while you read, so it works for any book and for 49 languages.
How long does it take to read?
About 3 h 26 min at a native pace, spread over 15 chapters. In a foreign language plan for more: half an hour a day finishes a book of this size in a few weeks.
Similar books
Same language, close to the same level.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain.