John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry

Graphic Library: Graphic History

by Jason Glaser

Genres: History, Graphic Novels, Nonfiction

Library Binding

Published September 1, 2005

Reviews

[Nape · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm on the lookout for middle grade non-fiction books and John Brown is one of my favorite historical figures, so I thought I'd pick this up. This wasn't a terrible book, but it wasn't what I was looking for at all.

This is possibly the most simplified account possible of John Brown's life and abolitionist activities. Each panel of this graphic novel typically has a text box describing the brief snapshot of what's going on, along with whatever person is depicted saying something that summarizes their actions/beliefs.

Like, for example, if you did this to me right now, you'd see a picture of me hunched over a laptop eating cookies. In the top left, there'd be a box that says: "He decided that he would write an amateur review of the comic book he just read." A text bubble would be coming out of my mouth that says: "I feel like this graphic novel did not fit my needs." Then, in the bottom right corner: "His reviews were often long-winded, silly and lacked structure."

Sorry, lol. That's basically what this book is, though. 32 pages of that. This format was kind of excruciating to see. Yet, I understand how useful it is at conveying a ton of information. (Which, technically, this book does.) It doesn't suit my purposes, though.

This could be a useful tool at getting younger kids who are hesitant to read exposed to history, though.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

cool that this exists. probably highlights some aspects of the story that don't seem necessary, and leaves out others that I would have included, but it's a short graphic novel. it's hard to include a lot more context about slavery and how virtually the whole country was wedded to that immoral institution, so they end up falling back into the confusing and false North/South dichotomy. nevertheless, this is pretty cool.

[Mark Cubillos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple and straightforward telling of the raid on Harper’s Ferry.

[Maughn Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most concise account of John Brown's life and raid on Harpers Ferry. A comic-book treatment with minimal text. Possibly a good beginning for young people.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel (comic book) concisely sums up the paradoxical abolitionist 'terrorism' that helped precipitate the Civil War. I checked it out for my 5th grader for a history assignment. It was a 10 min. read to get the facts, but an hour to discuss the complexity. Slavery is considered universally unjust now. Why, only a hundred years before I was born, was half the country ready to go to war to defend the institution of slavery? What will our grandchildren see as our blind spot now?

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Graphic History collection does a great job of taking one episode in history and presenting it graphically in an interesting way. They pique your interest and make you want to learn more. This is no exception. It seems to be the year of John Brown in books, fascinating abolitionist/madman that he was. Kids who like history will eat it up.

[Lisa Hechesky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good history lesson in graphic novel format. Engaging graphics and text. Some violence but the event itself was violent.

Recommended for students learning about the American Civil War, primarily an event that led up to the war itself.

[Lori Kuder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these graphic history novels!