Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom

Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom

First edition cover
Author	David W. Blight
Audio read by	Prentice Onayemi[1]
Cover artist	Darren Haggar (design)[2]
Language	English
Subject	Frederick Douglass
Publisher	Simon & Schuster
Publication date	October 16, 2018[3]
Publication place	United States
Media type	Print (hardcover)
Pages	912[3]
Awards	Pulitzer Prize for History (2019) Bancroft Prize (2019)
ISBN	978-1-4165-9031-6 (hardcover)
OCLC	1022622448
Dewey Decimal	973.8092 B
LC Class	E449.D75 B557 2018

Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom is a 2018 biography of African American abolitionist, writer, and orator Frederick Douglass, written by historian David W. Blight and published by Simon & Schuster. It won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for History.^[4][5]

Reception

According to Book Marks, the book received "rave" reviews based on twenty-seven critic reviews, with twenty being "rave" and seven being "positive".^[6]

Film adaptation

In April 2019, it was reported that a feature film adaptation of the book was being produced by Barack Obama and Michelle Obama in partnership with Netflix.^[7][8] In 2023 it was reported that Regina King will direct the film, with a script by Kemp Powers.^[9]

In 2022, Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches, a documentary film based on the book, was released by HBO on various streaming platforms.^[10]

Awards and honors

• 2019 Bancroft Prize, winner^[11]
• 2019 Francis Parkman Prize, winner^[12]
• 2019 Lincoln Prize, winner^[13]
• 2019 Mark Lynton History Prize, shortlist^[14]
• 2019 Plutarch Award, winner^[15]
• 2019 Pulitzer Prize for History, winner
• 2018 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Biography, winner^[16]

References

1. Frederick Douglass Audiobook by David W. Blight, Prentice Onayemi. Simon & Schuster. 16 October 2018. ISBN 978-1-5082-6566-5. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
2. Temple, Emily (February 21, 2019). If They Gave Oscars to Books, Our 2018 Nominees. Literary Hub. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
3. Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom by David W. Blight. Simon & Schuster. 16 October 2018. ISBN 978-1-4165-9031-6. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
4. Gardner, John S. (October 27, 2018). "Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom review: a monumental biography". The Guardian. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
5. "The 2019 Pulitzer Prize Winner in History". www.pulitzer.org. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
6. "Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom". Book Marks. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
7. Coyle, Jake (April 30, 2019). "Obamas unveil slate of series, documentaries for Netflix". Associated Press. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
8. Koblin, John (April 30, 2019). "The Obamas and Netflix Just Revealed the Shows and Films They're Working On". The New York Times. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
9. Sperling, Nicole (2023-12-06). "Obamas' Vision for Hollywood Company: 'This Isn't Like Masterpiece Theatre'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
10. Cordero, Rosy (2022-02-01). "Frederick Douglass Documentary 'In Five Speeches' Gets Premiere At HBO". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-12-25.
11. Schuessler, Jennifer (March 7, 2019). "Bancroft Prize for History Is Awarded to 2 Scholars". The New York Times. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
12. "David W. Blight Wins the Francis Parkman Prize". Society of American Historians. Columbia University. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
13. Connolly, Bess (February 19, 2019). "David Blight honored with Lincoln Prize for his book on Frederick Douglass". YaleNews. Yale University. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
14. "Columbia Journalism School Announces the 2019 J. Anthony Lukas Prize Project Awards Shortlist". Columbia Journalism School. February 26, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
15. "David W. Blight Wins 2019 Plutarch Award". Biographers International Organization. June 7, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
16. "Los Angeles Times Book Prizes Winners Announced". Los Angeles Times. April 12, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.