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John Brown's Raid: Harpers Ferry and the Coming of the Civil War, October 16-18, 1859
The first shot of the American Civil War was not fired on April 12, 1861, in Charleston, South Carolina, but instead came on October 16, 1859, in Harpers Ferry, Virginia--or so claimed former slave turned abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
The shot came like a meteor in the dark.
John Brown, the infamous fighter on the Kansas plains and detester of slavery, led a band of nineteen men on a desperate nighttime raid that targeted the Federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry. There, they planned to begin a war to end slavery in the United States.
But after 36 tumultuous hours, John Brown's Raid failed, and Brown himself became a prisoner of the state of Virginia.
Brown's subsequent trial further divided north and south on the issue of slavery as Brown justified his violent actions to a national audience forced to choose sides. Ultimately, Southerners cheered Brown's death at the gallows while Northerners observed it with reverence. The nation's dividing line had been drawn.
Herman Melville and Walt Whitman extolled Brown as a "meteor" of the war. Roughly one year after Brown and his men attacked slavery in Virginia, the nation split apart, fueled by Brown's fiery actions.
John Brown's Raid tells the story of the first shots that led to disunion. Richly filled with maps and images, it includes a driving and walking tour of sites related to Brown's Raid so visitors today can walk in the footsteps of America's meteor.
The shot came like a meteor in the dark.
John Brown, the infamous fighter on the Kansas plains and detester of slavery, led a band of nineteen men on a desperate nighttime raid that targeted the Federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry. There, they planned to begin a war to end slavery in the United States.
But after 36 tumultuous hours, John Brown's Raid failed, and Brown himself became a prisoner of the state of Virginia.
Brown's subsequent trial further divided north and south on the issue of slavery as Brown justified his violent actions to a national audience forced to choose sides. Ultimately, Southerners cheered Brown's death at the gallows while Northerners observed it with reverence. The nation's dividing line had been drawn.
Herman Melville and Walt Whitman extolled Brown as a "meteor" of the war. Roughly one year after Brown and his men attacked slavery in Virginia, the nation split apart, fueled by Brown's fiery actions.
John Brown's Raid tells the story of the first shots that led to disunion. Richly filled with maps and images, it includes a driving and walking tour of sites related to Brown's Raid so visitors today can walk in the footsteps of America's meteor.
192 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 9, 2024
Prelude to the American civil war: The making of a martyr.
There are several books about the life and work of abolitionist John Bown, especially his motivation for the insurrection at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia (now in West Virginia). Four of seven chapters are devoted to this rebellion. This book is inspiring because it is a story that provides a look at the human side of a challenging mission. His efforts are acknowledged as a cataclysmic event that catapulted the United States towards civil war and even influenced the political career of Abraham Lincoln.
John Brown began his movement for the abolition of slavery by attempting to free slaves. When he realized that the time for easy solutions was gone, he perceived that the armed rebellion was the only alternative. The book gives some accounts of his migration from New York to Pennsylvania to Ohio and eventually to the Western territories of Kansas that was drawing southern population to keep Kansas as a pro-slavery state. John Brown fought in Kansas, and then moved his band of rebels to Harper’s Ferry, Virginia for an armed struggle. The book details of the uprising from the beginning to end of the raid on the United States arsenal at Harper’s Ferry.
On the last day of his life, John Brown shook hands with those near him on the scaffold and assumed his position. He did not exhibit fear; not a muscle moved, he stood erect and calm during the last few minutes of his life. Reports of Brown's stoicism on the day of his death enhanced his legacy for northern abolitionists. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau compared Brown's death on the gallows to Christ's sacrifice on the Cross. Scores of northerners marked the hour of Brown's execution in solemn tribute and remembrance. Orators spoke of Brown and his purpose. Across the South, bands of men joined military companies. Some of these companies had fallen dormant over the years but became alive again with renewed vigor to protect Southern institutions.
Although there are numerous books about John Brown, I found this book reader friendly. It reads flawlessly, and in the appendix section, the author provides references to other books closely related to this work. The walking and driving tours of Harper’s Ferry raid sites are quite helpful.
There are several books about the life and work of abolitionist John Bown, especially his motivation for the insurrection at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia (now in West Virginia). Four of seven chapters are devoted to this rebellion. This book is inspiring because it is a story that provides a look at the human side of a challenging mission. His efforts are acknowledged as a cataclysmic event that catapulted the United States towards civil war and even influenced the political career of Abraham Lincoln.
John Brown began his movement for the abolition of slavery by attempting to free slaves. When he realized that the time for easy solutions was gone, he perceived that the armed rebellion was the only alternative. The book gives some accounts of his migration from New York to Pennsylvania to Ohio and eventually to the Western territories of Kansas that was drawing southern population to keep Kansas as a pro-slavery state. John Brown fought in Kansas, and then moved his band of rebels to Harper’s Ferry, Virginia for an armed struggle. The book details of the uprising from the beginning to end of the raid on the United States arsenal at Harper’s Ferry.
On the last day of his life, John Brown shook hands with those near him on the scaffold and assumed his position. He did not exhibit fear; not a muscle moved, he stood erect and calm during the last few minutes of his life. Reports of Brown's stoicism on the day of his death enhanced his legacy for northern abolitionists. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau compared Brown's death on the gallows to Christ's sacrifice on the Cross. Scores of northerners marked the hour of Brown's execution in solemn tribute and remembrance. Orators spoke of Brown and his purpose. Across the South, bands of men joined military companies. Some of these companies had fallen dormant over the years but became alive again with renewed vigor to protect Southern institutions.
Although there are numerous books about John Brown, I found this book reader friendly. It reads flawlessly, and in the appendix section, the author provides references to other books closely related to this work. The walking and driving tours of Harper’s Ferry raid sites are quite helpful.
December 30, 2024
This is a detailed account of Brown's activities leading up to and including his infamous insurrection. The authors, history lovers both, are earnest about writing a straightforward, no-nonsense history book and they succeed in that. I learned much about John Brown. The book is profusely illustrated with historical photographs, making it visually interesting.
But the writing style is standard "nothing but the facts," dry, an endless droning on with names of people, what they said and did. There's very little color in the telling of this remarkable chapter in American history. As a result, their old-school history textbook style made the subject uncompelling, even though I could see that the events described were epic and full of conflict.
The makings of a good historically accurate movie are in these pages. But the screenplay would need to be written by someone who knows how to make history come alive without being false or sensational.
I wish the authors could have made their telling of history something that comes alive, instead of being a dull, emotionally distant retelling of what should have been a gripping story.
But the writing style is standard "nothing but the facts," dry, an endless droning on with names of people, what they said and did. There's very little color in the telling of this remarkable chapter in American history. As a result, their old-school history textbook style made the subject uncompelling, even though I could see that the events described were epic and full of conflict.
The makings of a good historically accurate movie are in these pages. But the screenplay would need to be written by someone who knows how to make history come alive without being false or sensational.
I wish the authors could have made their telling of history something that comes alive, instead of being a dull, emotionally distant retelling of what should have been a gripping story.
February 24, 2024
This is the first book I’ve read in the Emerging Civil War series by Savas Beatie publishing, but it will definitely not be my last read in the series.
The book was short, but gave great background, and short detail, on Brown, his time in Kansas, his raiders, and the raid on Harpers Ferry. It was enough information to give you insight on the raid. There is also an appendix that details a walking tour of Harpers Ferry and another index that details a driving tour of the area, if you want to visit. Thought those were well done and nice touches. All short section on each raider was provided.
Overall it was a very good book, and would highly recommend it. Looking forward to my next book from SBP.
The book was short, but gave great background, and short detail, on Brown, his time in Kansas, his raiders, and the raid on Harpers Ferry. It was enough information to give you insight on the raid. There is also an appendix that details a walking tour of Harpers Ferry and another index that details a driving tour of the area, if you want to visit. Thought those were well done and nice touches. All short section on each raider was provided.
Overall it was a very good book, and would highly recommend it. Looking forward to my next book from SBP.
July 26, 2025
Great Book
I couldn’t help but see the parallels to other historical events. A noble cause which was not executed in the way a peaceful society would seek to resolve such a tragedy of men. Much of the world should try to understand the motives of the time. The book is well written and lets the reader see the truth. The economic and religious aspects at the root are an underlying theme which can be helpful in understanding many other such events of the world.
I couldn’t help but see the parallels to other historical events. A noble cause which was not executed in the way a peaceful society would seek to resolve such a tragedy of men. Much of the world should try to understand the motives of the time. The book is well written and lets the reader see the truth. The economic and religious aspects at the root are an underlying theme which can be helpful in understanding many other such events of the world.
October 27, 2023
This is another fine addition to the Emerging Civil War series. It is a complete accounting of the John Brown Raid at an introductory level. As with prior books in this series, it includes maps, illustrations and a tour of the sites described in the text. It also suggests books for a deeper dive into the topic if this volume has sparked an interest. It is an excellent book.
June 4, 2024
Detailed and comprehensive information on John Brown's raid.
December 21, 2024
Interesting to hear where John Brown was and what he was doing leading up to the insurrection. Very short, but very informative. Enjoyed this.
January 18, 2025
John Brown’s Raid was an interesting historical event that would seemingly be a prelude to the Civil War. I saw it as a symptom of the inevitable occurrence of Civil War.
July 17, 2023
Part of the Emerging Civil War series from publisher Savas Beatie, this book continues with the template of substantive but accessible reviews of important people, places, and battles in the American Civil War.
Beginning with John Brown’s early life, the authors have delivered a highly readable and engaging narrative covering both the events and influences that culminated with Harpers Ferry in 1859. Not meant as an exhaustive overview, the text provides enough to leave the reader with a good understanding of what happened as well as a platform for launching into further study.
As is the case with all of the books in the series, this one comes with an appendix with recommended tours as well as an excellent summary bio of each of the raiders. Though lacking any additional topical essays, as is the case with some of the ECW titles, the bio section more than makes up for it.
With the series approaching nearly 50 books, the range on quality can begin to widen. This entry is one of the stronger works in a series with plenty of excellent examples.
Beginning with John Brown’s early life, the authors have delivered a highly readable and engaging narrative covering both the events and influences that culminated with Harpers Ferry in 1859. Not meant as an exhaustive overview, the text provides enough to leave the reader with a good understanding of what happened as well as a platform for launching into further study.
As is the case with all of the books in the series, this one comes with an appendix with recommended tours as well as an excellent summary bio of each of the raiders. Though lacking any additional topical essays, as is the case with some of the ECW titles, the bio section more than makes up for it.
With the series approaching nearly 50 books, the range on quality can begin to widen. This entry is one of the stronger works in a series with plenty of excellent examples.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews