Up from Slavery

'I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.'

First published in 1901, Up From Slavery is Booker T. Washington's powerful memoir, recounting his journey from enslavement to becoming a leading educator and advocate for Black progress.

Born into slavery in the American South, Washington recalls his rise to becoming a founder of the Tuskegee Institute and subsequently a national leader in educational rights and race relations. Movingly sharing his struggles for education, belief in hard work and self-reliance, Washington – through his affecting story – argues that economic empowerment is key to improving the lives of African Americans. Often regarded as one of the best non-fiction books of the twentieth century, Up From Slavery is a profound tale of perseverance and a valuable insight into the social challenges of post-Civil War America. This audiobook edition is beautifully read by Greg Lockett.

Booker T. Washington (1856 – 1915) was an American author, educator and orator. Born into slavery, Washington was freed during the Civil War and soon became leader of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, one of the first colleges for Black higher education. He was a dominant voice for Black rights in politics, and became the first Black person to publicly meet with the president on equal terms.