Introduction by Ishmael Reed

Author's preface

Slave among slaves

Boyhood days

Struggle for an education

Helping others

Reconstruction period

Black race and red race

Early days at Tuskegee

Teaching school in a stable and a hen-house

Anxious days and sleepless nights

Harder task than making bricks without straw

Making their beds before they could lie on them

Raising money

Two thousand miles for a five-minute speech

Atlanta exposition address

Secret of success in public speaking

Europe

Last words

Notes

Bibliography.