Giants: The Parallel Lives of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln

In "Giants: The Parallel Lives of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln," award-winning Harvard University scholar John Stauffer explores the transformative journeys of two seminal American figures who redefined personal liberty and reshaped the nation's social fabric. Born into starkly different circumstances—one a slave, the other in poverty—both Douglass and Lincoln became towering icons of the fight for racial justice. Through meticulous research, Stauffer vividly narrates how their self-made paths crossed, leading to a unique friendship that influenced pivotal civil rights advancements and the abolition of slavery. As Lincoln welcomed Douglass to the White House, their alliance challenged and changed public opinions and policies surrounding race and equality. Published on November 3, 2008, this compelling dual biography is ideal for middle-school readers eager to understand the complexities of history and the personal dynamics that can alter a nation’s course. This book is a brilliant resource for those looking to grasp the essence of leadership and the power of resilience in the realm of social justice.