"Up From Slavery" is one of those historical books, first published at the turn of the last century, that everyone should read at some point. The life and accomplishments of Booker T Washington are best first introduced in the man's own words.
The man had an optimistic view of the future for himself and his people in America, during a time where there was precious little to go on to vindicate him on that point. Still, there is something admirable about such stalwart optimism. Certainly, there are charges leveled against Booker T. Washington that he was more than a little bit naive, but I think that's an oversimplification of the man. After reading his book, I think he knew there were many challenges ahead, heartaches, and struggles, and maybe the work doesn't get done in a single generation—or ten. In the end, though, like any true American, he knew that our strength has never been through division but in unity.
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