“Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave” by Frederick Douglass
I wanted to read this in honor of black history month. Douglass does not pull any punches. He gives you a thorough and complete description of not only the events of his life to that point, but on the very experience of being a slave. Parts of it are nearly impossible to get through, but then I guess he accomplishes exactly what he set out to do. Published in 1854, this was released into the thick of the abolition movement and no doubt was influential in the path towards the Civil War. Arguably one of the most important historical autobiographies of the time, I think it should be essential reading for every American.
