Booker T. Washington grew up as a slave child during the Civil War. His autobiography describes the difficulties and obstacles he overcame to get an education, and his work helping black people and other disadvantaged minorities learn useful, marketable skills to elevate themselves as a race. Up from Slavery chronicles more than forty years of Washington's life: from slave to schoolmaster to the face of southern race relations.America in the 1880's and 1890's was an intense time of hostility towards African American communities. When Washington began his writing and public speaking, he was fighting the notion that African Americans were inherently stupid and incapable of civilization. Washington's primary goal was to impress upon the audience the possibility of progress, without inviting violence from the mob. The book inspired a 2011 seven-part documentary about Black Slavery in America.This case laminate collector's edition includes a Victorian inspired dust-jacket.