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A unique feature of this biography of Frederick Douglass, is that the author, David W. Blight, was able to use original manuscripts from a private collector. There is a mythology surrounding Frederick Douglass, some of it created by the three autobiographies that Douglass penned. Yet, these newly discovered manuscripts, flesh out particularly the childhood and early years of Douglass's life. Indeed, this reviewer believes his life can be viewed as a triptych of three overlapping major phases that at times intersected and at other times clashed. The first period was slavery. Frederick Bailey, Douglass's birth name, was given up by his grandmother at the tender age of six when he was left at the plantation of Aaron Anthony. His mother was "rented" out as a day laborer to another plantation and so the boy had little to no contact with her. She died by the time he was eight years old. Later, he was "given" to the brother of his master who lived in Baltimore. The author is unsparing in his descriptions of enslavement: Frederick was beaten, starved, lonely, impoverished and humiliated. A major watershed occurred when his master's wife taught the boy to read. Her furious husband forbade her from teaching him anymore and burned the prized books of the child. Nevertheless, Frederick's mind was opened to a new world. He was influenced by others to study particularly the Old Testament which provided him inspiration in the words of the prophets and the many illusions and metaphors about slavery and freedom. Was it adolescent rebellion or his new found literacy that inspired Frederick to flee North? Aided by a freedwoman who later became his wife, Frederick escaped on the Underground Railroad. Fearing recapture, he changed his surname to Douglass. The second phase of Douglass's life was preaching for abolition. He traveled throughout the United States, as well as Britain, Ireland Scotland and Canada. Douglass was an ardent believer in the need to free all blacks. He delivered thousands of passionate orations; part religious, part personal, but always entertaining and inspiring. He related incidents from his own enslavement and quoted frequently from the Old Testament. He became world renowned and crossed paths with important figures including John Brown, who hoped Douglass would join him in the Harper's Ferry raid and Presidents Lincoln, Johnson, Grant and Hayes. Throughout the Civil War, Douglass used his fiery speeches to recruit blacks to fight for the Union. (Three of his own sons fought in the War.) His speeches on "Peace time Abolition" focused on the need to give black men the vote and when that was achieved, he railed against the rampant violence against blacks. During Reconstruction there were wholesale lynchings and murders of blacks. His relentless travels and public speaking engagements took a toll on his family, his pocket book and his health. Family relations was the third essential factor in Douglass's life. Having had no family as a child and unsure of the identity of his father, Douglass put a high premium on being a father and a provider. But, his long and frequent absences created great strain on his wife Anna and their five children who lived into adulthood. Anna was illiterate and it remains a mystery why Douglass did not teach her to read. Douglass strived to be both father and provider, but his long absences eroded both roles. Though he claimed to be a "self-made man", Douglass relied heavily on financial assistance from abolitionists at home and abroad. He also sought the emotional, intellectual and perhaps physical support from several white women, some of whom lived for extended periods in the Douglass home. After Anna died, he married one of these white women causing further strain with his children. Blight's book is well referenced, but rather long. There are times when it is repetitive and when the author uses "grandiose" language, perhaps to mimic Douglass's style. Sadly, the author lacks the power, passion and poetry of Frederick Douglass. The author also occasionally attempts to psychoanalyze Douglass which is a bit of a stretch. Despite these flaws, this book provides a thorough examination of a man who made and is a seminal part of American history.