Downloads and Free Reading Options

1Up from Slavery: An Autobiography

By Booker T. Washington

<i>Up From Slavery</i> is the 1901 autobiography of Booker T. Washington detailing his slow and steady rise from a slave child during the Civil War, to the difficulties and obstacles he overcame to get an education at the new Hampton University, to his work establishing vocational schools—most notably the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama—to help black people and other disadvantaged minorities learn useful, marketable skills and work to pull themselves, as a race, up by the bootstraps. He reflects on the generosity of both teachers and philanthropists who helped in educating blacks and native Americans. He describes his efforts to instill manners, breeding, health and a feeling of dignity to students. (Summary from Wikipedia)

<i>Character Building</i> is a compilation of speeches, given by Mr. Booker T. Washington, to the students and staff of the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute (now known as Tuskegee University).<br />Booker T. Washington was one of the most prominent leaders in advancing African-American civil rights. Born into slavery and freed as a young boy, he rose through the ranks of education to eventually earn his position as principal of Tuskegee. Under his guidance, the school was built, by students and for students, to give them a deeply meaningful education. Mr. Washington stressed the importance of developing oneself for life-long success. He strove to imbue in his students the highest personal standards, and these speeches represent the core messages he gave.<br />(Originally published by Doubleday, Page & Co., NY, in 1902. Summary by Luke Sartor)

3State of the Union Addresses by United States Presidents (1790 - 1816)

By John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and George Washington

The State of the Union address is a speech presented by the President of the United States to a joint session of the United States Congress, typically delivered annually. The address not only reports on the condition of the nation but also allows the President to outline his legislative agenda (for which he needs the cooperation of Congress) and national priorities. This album contains recordings of addresses from Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison. - Summary by Wikipedia and Linette Geisel

4Up From Slavery: An Autobiography (version 2)

By Booker T. Washington

Up from Slavery is the 1901 autobiography of Booker T. Washington sharing his personal experience of having to work to rise up from the position of a slave child during the Civil War, to the difficulties and obstacles he overcame to get an education at the new Hampton Institute, to his work establishing the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama to help black people learn useful, marketable skills and work to pull themselves up by the bootstraps. He reflects on the generosity of both teachers and philanthropists who helped in educating blacks and Native Americans. He describes his efforts to instill manners, breeding, health and a feeling of dignity to students. (Mark Nelson)

5Future of the American Negro

By Booker T. Washington

The history of African American enslavement, freedom from slavery, and the need for education as a prerequisite for success. - Summary by kirk202

The legacy of Booker T. Washington has inspired leaders for racial equality for over a century. He rose from a slave family to be adviser to presidents. As an educator founded the Tuskegee Institute and championed higher education to those who were denied such based on race. Booker T. Washington gives us this autobiography of his life and work. - Summary by Larry Wilson

Up from Slavery is the autobiography of American educator Booker T. Washington, describing his personal path up from the position of a slave child during the Civil War to his work at founding schools to help children from black or other disadvantaged groups learn skills that would give them the chance to work to pull themselves up by the bootstraps.

8Putting the Most Into Life

By Booker T. Washington

The chapters in this little book were originally part of a series of Sunday Evening Talks given by the Principal to the students of the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute. They have been recast from the second to the third person, and many local allusions have been cut out. They are now sent out, in response to repeated requests, to a larger audience than that to which they were first spoken. - Summary by Booker T. Washington

This is a sequel to Washington's first autobiographical book, Up From Slavery, which depicted his early life. He says "This book contains answers to the questions I have frequently been asked as to how I have worked out for myself the educational methods which we are now using at Tuskegee; and, finally, to illustrate, for the benefit of the members of my own race, some of the ways in which a people who are struggling upward may turn disadvantages into opportunities." "The fact that I was born a Negro, and the further fact that I have all my life been engaged in a kind of work that was intended to uplift the masses of my people, has brought me in contact with many exceptional persons, both North and South." Chapter after chapter reveals how he raised money from willing white philanthropists to support Tuskegee Institute, how his travels to study European methods of education influenced him, lessons he learned from fellow negros, and how his patient educational approach differed from what many more radical black activists advocated. (Summary by Michele Fry)

10Frederick Douglass

By Booker T. Washington

An account of the life of Frederick Douglass, who escaped slavery to become one of the most important and influential abolitionists, authors, public speakers, and statesmen of his time. The author, Booker T. Washington, was also born into slavery. He became a renowned educator, advisor to several presidents, and author of a number of important works including Up From Slavery. - Summary by Ciufi Galeazzi

11Story of Slavery

By Booker T. Washington

Booker T. Washington, the author of the following sketch of slavery in America, was himself born a slave, and the story of his life begins where "The Story of Slavery" leaves off. (Summary by Emmett J. Scott)