Born a slave in Virginia in 1856, Booker T. Washington rose in prominence to become black America's foremost spokesman. This is the dramatic autobiographical account of Washington's struggle to succeed and prosper in a country that refused to acknowledge his existence. From his fight for an education to his founding of the world-renowned Tuskegee Institute, Up From Slavery is one of the most significant and defining works in American literature. A MAN WHO OVERCAME THE BONDS OF SLAVERY TO BECOME A SPOKESMAN FOR HIS PEOPLE. Historically acknowledged as one of America's most powerful and persuasive orators, Booker T. Washington consistently challenged the forces of racial prejudice at a time when such behavior from a black man was unheard of. While he mollified white leaders by publicly agreeing with their racist views of social parity, he also worked tirelessly to convince blacks to work together as one people in order to improve their lives and the future of their race. Up From Slavery is the dramatic autobiographical account of how one man stood fast against the social and idealogical bias prevalent in his day. It tells the story of Washington's unique American experience -- a struggle that he began as a slave and never gave up. From his fight for education to his founding of the world-renowned Tuskegee Institute, Washington's Up From Slavery is one of the most significant and defining works in American literature.