One of the most influential works of literature during the abolitionist movement of the early 19th century, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass recounts with powerful eloquence and detail the author's life as a slave and his eventual escape North. This Norton Library edition features the original 1845 text and explanatory endnotes that clarify obscure terms and references. A stirring introduction by Joshua Bennett (Dartmouth College) provides historical background, highlights some of the narrative's key themes, and assesses the enduring legacy of Frederick Douglass's vital work.