Working With the Hands Being a Sequel to "Up from Slavery," Covering the Author's Experiences in Industrial Training at Tuskegee

"Working With the Hands" by Booker T. Washington is an uplifting story that highlights the vital role of hands-on training and hard work, penned in the early 1900s. As a continuation of Washington’s life story from "Up from Slavery," the narrative explores his time and beliefs concerning education and work at the Tuskegee Institute. Arguing for a well-rounded education, the book pushes for the idea that learning practical skills goes hand-in-hand with building character and intelligence, focusing not only on academic knowledge but also on empowering people through real-world experience. The story begins with Washington's thoughts on the value of manual labor and how it fits into education, using his own life lessons as a child and later as a teacher. He remembers his early days after being freed, explaining how society saw education as something that meant people would no longer want to do physical work. Washington tells stories, like his time living with a strict employer who taught him the principles of discipline and hard work. He makes it clear that a real education should mix thinking skills with practical skills, with the overall goal of improving the lives of African Americans through job training while building their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment.