This work in the MSU Press Rhetoric and Public Affairs Series chronicles Frederick Douglass's preparation for a career in oratory; his emergence as an abolitionist lecturer in 1841; and his development and activities as a public speaker and reformer from 1841 to 1845. Lampe's meticulous scholarship overturns much of the conventional wisdom about this phase of Douglass's life and career uncovering new information about his experiences as a slave and as a fugitive; it provokes a deeper and richer understanding of this renowned orator's emergence as an important voice in the crusade to end slavery. Contrary to conventional wisdom; Douglass was well prepared to become a full-time lecturer for the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society in 1841. His emergence as an eloquent voice from slavery was not as miraculous as scholars have led us to believe. Lampe begins by tracing Douglass's life as slave in Maryland and as fugitive in New Bedford; showing that experiences gained at this time in his life contributed powerfully to his understanding of rhetoric and to his development as an orator. An examination of his daily oratorical activities from the time of his emergence in Nantucket in 1841 until his departure for England in 1845 dispels many conventional beliefs surrounding this period; especially the belief that Douglass was under the wing of William Lloyd Garrison. Lampe's research shows that Douglass was much more outspoken and independent than previously thought and that at times he was in conflict with white abolitionists. Included in this work is a complete itinerary of Douglass's oratorical activities; correcting errors and omissions in previously published works; as well as two newly discovered complete speech texts; never before published.
#2968838 in Books 2005-05-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x .52 x 5.98l; .75 #File Name: 0865549141228 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Boring book propounding James' religious viewsBy D. IrelandBought this because one of the ministers is a relative. Book doesn't speak so much of history as it does about his religious beliefs. Goes on and on about religion and morality. Boring.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great folks to buy books from! Book was all I hoped it would be..By Benny WaldenThis product was used although you could not tell it; it was in the best of shape; great folks to do business with.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. "Esteem Reproach" by Harper Jacumin: A ReviewBy Kyle E. McdanellAs a Baptist I am well aware of the history of my denomination. As a Kentucky Baptist; I am well aware of how Baptists were treated during the founding of our nation. Many of the first Kentucky Baptists fled Virginia to Kentucky in order to escape persecution from the Anglican-controlled state. Many will be surprised to know that Virginia; at our nations founding; was Anglican. Virginia was not the only state to be primarily controlled by a certain denomination.I am a descendent of such persecuted Baptists. Seven generations back; my ancestors fled Virginia after repeatedly incarcerated for their Baptist convictions. One of those ancestors was Joseph Craig. Like many in his family and like most Baptist in Virginia; Craig was frequently persecuted and jailed for his beliefs. Craig; along with his brothers Lewis and Elijah; joined the ministry and began preaching the gospel.I came across a fascinating book called Esteemed Reproach : The Lives of Rev. James Ireland and Rev. Joseph Craig by Keith Harper and Martin Jacumin. The authors offer the writings and personal testimonies of the only two men who experienced persecution in Virginia for being Baptist and wrote about it. As a descendent of Craig; I had to "pick up and read. The authors provide the reader with an excellent introduction that informs the reader on who these two great men were. I found their discussion of Craig particularly informative.The authors note the eccentricities of Craig; especially compared to his brothers. One paragraph reads: "Craig's zeal notwithstanding; his eccentricities could be disconcerting. John Taylor; a well-known Virgina Baptist preacher who also relocated to Kentucky; held the Craig family in high regard but occasionally found himself embarrassed by Joseph's antics; beginning with their initial meeting. Taylor recalled preaching a candlelight meeting at the lower South River Church in Virginia. When the service ended Joseph Craig ran up to him and exclaimed; 'Here is the ass's colt that my Master rode to Jerusalem.' Craig may have meant that Taylor had done an excellent job of 'conveying' Jesus to the people; but he never bothered to explain precisely what he meant. 'After this;' Taylor noted; 'Craig would introduce me to strangers as 'the ass colt' without telling them my name.' Of course; Taylor also appreciated the methods Craig devised for baffling those who tried to arrest him whether it involved running through swamps; climbing trees to avoid bloodhounds; or pretending to be completely deranged."I think we all know someone like that.But overall; this book provides keen insight into the daily life and troubles of Baptists in Virginia. Through their journals and songs; the reader finds real men who struggled with real issues. I recommend this book. It is more than just insight into an ancestor; but insight into where we have been and how much we have to be thankful for . . . especially as Baptists.
