Welcome to Litsy!

A lovely reminder at dinner, [sic] notwithstanding 💖

After digesting this definitive biography on Frederick Douglass I come away awed at his Legacy of work. His private life is a complicated one. At times I was not enamored with this facet of the man. However his words and actions on the world stage hold great sway. His unyielding attention towards equality and justice are still relevant today. Fortunately there are many who stand with the foundation Douglass set as we seek to meet his lofty goals.

Finally getting to Frederick Douglass. A couple chapters in and it‘s a keeper.

Day 3: The King's Speech

#RememberNovember
@Klou

I started reading this tonight because I feel I need to. It‘s so far a really good read but it‘s also difficult. We were born a nation where all lives didn‘t matter so yes we need to do what ever needs to be done to correct this evil that stains this nation. #blacklivesmatter

“In one way, this book is the biography of a voice.”

Excited about this one

Took nearly three months, but I did it! This is a super detailed look at a life who, other than via memoir/autobiography, has little supporting sources, given that his wife was illiterate and his companion had all her correspondence burned after death (hmm wonder why). So it's hard to know his inner thoughts other than what we already know via his 3 books. But this helped me put his life in order and context.

This was a beast of a book. 900 pages - 40 audio hours. I knew before going in that my American history is incredibly bad. But the thing I learned went far beyond Douglass' life.
Some of the criticism (especially of the women in his life) I found potentially problematic. I felt a lot of the authors opinions might have been better left out. But it did bring an extra layer of interest to the book. And a real reason to do more research.

I've been trying so hard the whole middle third of this book to be a good feminist and give Ottilie Assing the benefit of the doubt, and I intend to read a bio of her just to be sure Blight isn't inordinately biased against her, but since I just got to Helen Pitts's entrance: THANK GOD, SHE'S ALMOST OUT OF THE PICTURE. Of all the women who were in love with him, why did he keep the most irritating one around for almost 30 YEARS???

#audiowalk #audiowalkies #audiodoggo

"Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and never will."

I had thought #Audible lost my place in this #audiobook a few months ago, so I gave up on it (though always intending to go back). Since I decided that September is #Pulitzer month (History, 2019, in this case), I redownloaded it only to find it did still have my place saved! It's Harper's Ferry time… 😧

About to read another chapter in the very interesting tagged book but sharing a picture of my special little gal first ❤

This was a monster of a book! Well researched and thorough, Blight delivers an impeccable biography of Douglas- who‘s words are still applicable. You could learn almost everything about American history through reading about Douglas‘s life: slavery, compromises to keep the Union, fugitives, politics, Civil War, Lincoln, suffrage (women‘s and blacks), corruption, political system, affirmative action, Reconstruction, civil rights, lynchings, etc.

(Pictured: Frederick Douglass in his 60‘s with his 2nd wife, Helen Pitts, seated, and Helen‘s sister, 1884)

His life covers a long track - slavery, escape, abolition, Civil War, Reconstruction, Jim Crow and an epidemic of lynching. Along the way are his owners, family, the abolitionist movement, his newspapers, the key women he depended on, his involvement in government and his tireless speaking tours. A special intellect and a fascinating story.

My new nonfiction read. A major shout out and thanks to @Notafraidofwords for graciously sending this book to me!

So this was a monster of a book, but a worthy read. I feel like I learned so much about Douglass but even more about the era. He saw so much history happen and it feels impossible for me to even imagine it. I read about twenty pages a night, so it took forever. Yet, it was also very interesting. So, some weekends I would binge read it. I recommend !

Started this on audio today. At 37 hours, should keep me busy a while. The first 15 minutes were really elegant.

“The best friend of a nation is he who most faithfully rebukes her for her sins - and he her worst enemy who, under the specious...garb of patriotism seeks to excuse, palliate or defend them.” This was written by Douglass in April 1846 to Horace Greeley. It is true as ever. #resist #resistance #fridayreads #nonfiction #quotes

So happy to hear that these books won Pulitzer prizes! 💜 🏆🏆

I listened to 50% of the audiobook and had to take a break from SO MUCH MINUTIAE! The style makes for a well-researched project, but I was looking for something just a bit less immersive. I hope to return to this book someday and finish it up.

Read this book to live, breathe, and sleep Fredrick Douglass. It is deeply penetrating and presents a full portrait of Douglass from his most moving antebellum oration to feuds with his competitors to his time playing with his grandchildren. In terms of depth, this is probably the best biography I‘ve read.

Y‘all, I have less than 200 pages to go on this book. I‘ve been reading this chunkster since the beginning of January. I can‘t believe my commitment hasn‘t wavered, slowly but surely I‘ll get there. Will review when done!

Love when non-fiction books bring in quotes from fiction.

Finished my day with this. Could only get through about 23 pages of the book before putting it down (It‘s a very good book). Had a frustrating night yesterday and bled into today. Didn‘t read much for #24b4monday. And I have to work tomorrow (I work as a dishwasher these days and Sundays can be busy)....

This #BookStack contains all the physical books I am #CurrentlyReading 🤷🏻‍♀️😇🤓 — update: oops! I forgot March 3 😬

Any ideas as to why I couldn‘t find this in the biography or history section of BN? I had to ask and the one & only copy was tucked in a small “cultural studies” shelf spine down. I wouldn‘t have found it without asking. 😯

So I haven‘t quite mastered the art of flipping the omelette, but I‘m hoping it tastes okay.

Got myself something for Three Kings Day! My heart is ready for this chunkster.

A Christmas present from my son ❤️

There are a lot of biographies of Frederick Doulgass, but this new one by Blight looks amazing.

These are the 10 best books of the year according to the New York Times. I haven‘t read any of them yet but like most such lists, it will likely add to my TBR stacks. Any favorites on here? Recommendations for which to start reading first?

I always enjoy David Blight lectures, his interviews and teachings. Currently digging into this 888-page masterpiece.....

Nonfiction Winter reads. These will take me awhile to get through they are total doorstoppers! Perfect for curling up with as the days get shorter!

I got my copy via Netgalley. This massive bio of Douglass is a must read.