Berne, Emma Carlson. Face
of Freedom: How the Photos of Frederick Douglass ... Capstone Publishers 2018 64p
$34.65 ISBN 978-0-7565-5617-4 ms Nonfiction Series: Captured History E-BNS
This is an excellent book
for middle-school kids and older ones who are interested in the history of
photography and the ways in which photography brings history alive. In the case
of Frederick Douglass, one learns that he was the most photographed American of
the 19th century ... more photographed than even President Lincoln! Douglass
himself understood the important role that photography played in conveying the
dignity and humanity of a person. Prior to the development of this technology,
African Americans were only depicted in a caricatured fashion, in degrading
cartoons and drawings. But with the advent of photography, a person’s full
humanity could be easily conveyed in one picture. Douglass made sure that all
his photographs were done to portray his dignity and intelligence, and he was
very much aware of the role that they played in conveying his message of Black
equality.
In addition to providing food for thought about the role of photography in the fight for abolition and equality, this title also teaches the reader a lot about the life and times of Douglass, and his strong personality and ambition as a leader.
The book is fairly easy to read but is appropriate for kids in grades 4 through high school, with wonderful photographs and plenty of white space, which is attractive to the eye. It includes a timeline, a good glossary, lists of additional resources, and an index. Recommended for public collections and those serving kids from fourth grade through high school.
Summary: This is an
excellent book for middle-school kids and older ones who are interested in the
history of photography and the ways in which photography brings history alive.
Slaves-Biography --Carol
L. Kennedy
