Booker T. Washington fought his
way out of slavery to become an educator, statesman, political shaper,
and proponent of the "do-it-yourself" idea. In his autobiography, he
describes his early life as a slave on a Virginia plantation, his steady
rise during the Civil War, his struggle for education, his schooling at
the Hampton Institute, and his years as founder and president of the
Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, which was devoted to helping minorities
learn useful, marketable skills.
He gives an account of his
travels, speeches, and meetings with various leaders, including Theodore
Roosevelt in the White House. Employing a didactic tone, Washington
deftly sets forth his belief that the black man’s salvation lies in
education, industriousness, and self-reliance. This is the true-life
story of a man of real courage and dedication.
Booker Taliaferro
Washington (1856-1915), founder of Tuskegee Institute, was a leading
educator, author, and statesman who rose from slavery to become
internationally famous. ON-SALE NOW!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Booker T. Washington (1856-1915)
was one of the most influential African-American leaders of the late
19th and early 20th centuries. Born a slave in Hale's Ford, Virginia,
Washington moved to West Virginia after the Civil War, where he learned
to read while working in a coal mine. After several years of part-time
schooling, he enrolled full-time at the Hampton Institute, a secondary
school for African Americans, and graduated in 1875. Washington spent
the next six years teaching school in West Virginia and at Hampton
before accepting an offer to start a brand new school in Tuskegee,
Alabama. Washington founded what is today Tuskegee University in 1881
and spent the rest of his life making that institution financially
viable and academically respected.
First published in 1900, The Story of My Life and Work
was ghostwritten for Washington by a young African American journalist
named Edgar Webber. Webber wrote the book with minimal oversight from
Washington, who was on a European tour when his autobiography was sent
to the publisher in the summer of 1899. Washington's correspondence,
which was later published in the 14-volume Booker T. Washington Papers,
reveals that he was furious with Webber's numerous errors and casual
tone when he saw the work in print; in the 1901 edition of his Story
reproduced here, Washington corrected the most egregious errors; he
also removed Webber's picture from the book and his name from the index.
At least in part because he was dissatisfied with The Story of My Life and Work,
Washington urged his publishers to sell the book to poor, predominantly
African-American buyers - so that wealthier, more educated readers
would not have a chance to condemn the work. The Story of My Life and Work
was very popular and sold more than 75,000 copies in its first four
years, but Washington was dissatisfied and selected a more accomplished
ghostwriter for Up from Slavery (1901), his second attempt at an autobiography.
In
all things that are purely social we can be as separate as the fingers,
yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress.
Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.
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REVIEWS
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2019Verified Purchase
I grew up in Virginia. We learned a lot about the early colonists, the
revolutionary war, and the civil war, but I never learned about Booker
T. Washington.
I'm glad I stumbled upon this book by accident a
few weeks ago. It was eye-opening to say the least. To be able to read
something written by a former slave is incredible. So much of history is
written by observers after the fact. This book is written by a
participant.
Booker T. Washington writes with incredible clarity.
It's easy to read his narrative, which moves quickly and covers many
years and many historic moments from slavery and reconstruction, to the
foundation for the civil rights movement.
This book is chalked
full of incredible quotes and ideas. Booker provides ample fuel for
anyone who needs some gas in their tank to be optimistic, hard-working,
or altruistic. Top off your reserves with this book and get a look at
some critical moments of American history, told from a perspective that
is unique and credible.
CLICK HERE TO BUY ON DISCOUNT! Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2020Verified Purchase
Booker T. Washington is awesome. His writing style is clear, concise,
and shows a great deal of thought. I'd recommend this book to any
American wanting to know more about the history of our country.
Washington was an incredible man, who did many great things, all without
laying blame on anyone. Washington had every reason to be bitter and
angry towards whites, his upbringing, and his situation. Instead, like
any hero, he rose above the situation with humbleness, kindness, and
love that transcended his situation. It's great to hear his story from
his own mouth.
Unfortunately, this great book comes with an
introduction by Ishmael Reed that's just garbage. Rather than
celebrating freedom along with Washington, Reed lives in the past with
slavery. Rather than lifting up Washington's work, which needs very
little explanation, Reed spends thousands of words comparing Washington
to his contemporary, DuBois. While the history of these two is
well-known and interesting, if I wanted to read about DuBois, I would
have bought a book about him, instead. Reed's introduction is tone-deaf
and ignores the beauty of Washington's work and attitude. This book
would have been better without it.
BUY YOURS HERE! Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2017Verified Purchase
I was going to give this book 4 stars on account of the words are
small. However the content is so BIG that I had to give it 5 stars! The
man walked 500 miles to get to school and devoted his life to that of
service. It just goes to show that we can truly overcome whatever
obstacles are in our way if we have the endurance to walk to 500 miles.
(figuratively in 2017) Let his story be an inspiration to us all. He
worked to bridge the gap and not blame anyone or anything for his place
in life. He rose above and we should all be inspired to do the same!
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