Freedman, Russell. Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

Freedman, Russell.  Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.  Houghton Mifflin/Clarion     119p  $18.99  978-0-547-38562-4      2012  ms/hs   E-BN  History

Despite the enormously different backgrounds of the two men, the similarities between the lives of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass are striking: both rose from extreme poverty, were self-educated, and had the same hatred of that “peculiar institution” of slavery.  Douglass, a former slave who became a greatly respected orator and defender of the African-American population, and Lincoln, a poor farm boy and self-taught lawyer who rose to the position of President of the United States, forged a relationship that would serve both well during the cataclysm of the Civil War.  The book begins with Douglass waiting to see Lincoln in the White House and segues back to a description of his difficult life as a slave and his arduous journey to freedom.  The focus returns to Lincoln and discusses his hardships and struggles to advance himself in life.  The narrative moves to the political and social mores of the country and the continuing problems with slavery between the Republicans and Democrats in Congress and the country as a whole.  Douglass was intent on freeing all the slaves while Lincoln concentrated on keeping the Union intact.  Together, they would both succeed in their aims.

Freedman provides a well-balanced and descriptive treatment of the lives of two of the foremost men of their times.  Writing with clarity and thoughtfulness, he allows the readers a view of both the men and the country at the time.  This historical chronicle is enhanced by period illustrations and photographs, chapter notes, a selected bibliography, a selection from The Columbian Orator (a book they both read), a list of historic sites, and an index.

Lincoln, Abraham–Biography, Douglass, Frederick–Biography, Slavery–History                                                                --Susan Ogintz