The Old Man: John Brown at Harper's Ferry

by Truman Nelson

On October 16, 1859, John Brown led a historic attack on the Harper's Ferry Armory. Nelson narrates the incredible events that unfolded that day and explodes the conventional dismissal of John Brown as a fanatic, presenting him as a revolutionary who, at the cost of his own life, helped bring an end to slavery.

After Brown's execution, the great abolitionist Frederick Douglass said of him, "If John Brown did not end the war that ended slavery, he did at least begin the war that ended slavery. . . . Until this blow was struck, the prospect for freedom was dim, shadowy and uncertain. The irrepressible conflict was one of words, votes and compromises. When John Brown stretched forth his arm, the sky was cleared. The time for compromises was gone--the armed hosts of freedom stood face to face over the chasm of a broken Union--and the clash of arms was at hand. The South staked all upon getting possession of the Federal Government, and failing to do that, drew the sword of rebellion and thus made her own, and not Brown's, the lost cause of the century."

Genres: History, Biography, American History, Nonfiction, Civil War

324 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Truman J. Nelson (1911-1987)

Reviews

[Alex Buchaca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Impressive individual and abolitionist. Enjoyed learning about his story and what led to his mission at Harper’s Ferry. A bit slow at the beginning and towards the end of the book. Overall, solid read.

[Dan Schuna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an extremely readable account of the final act of perhaps the greatest American in history. HIGHLY recommended.

[James Weddell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using almost exclusively primary sources, Nelson offers a far different portrait of Brown than even the more sympathetic ones of recent years. Commonly portrayed as a fanatic, a madman, or a deluded prophet on a quixotic crusade Nelson offers an individual commanding respect from even those most fervently opposed to him and his ideas. His plan was a revolutionary one, but one of modest scale that was ultimately undone by Brown's compassion and desire to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. Not what - or who - I was expecting.

[Henry Louis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptionally readable account of one the most compelling events in American history.

I don't know much about John Brown, but it seems to dip a little into hagiography.

[Jeff McLeod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it, read like a thriller.

[Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the great pristine souls of man's history is John Brown, and Nelson's writing is as superb as its subject. A subject of tremendous inspiration, Nelson does incomparable work to rescue John Brown from the barest footnotes that he inhabits in other histories.

[Dan Sharber · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow. fantastic book. beautifully written account of the amazing john brown. i cried at the end. highly recommended!