Avenging Angel-John Brown#s Raid on Harpers Ferry 1859

Osprey Raid #36

by Ron Field

The Harpers Ferry raid confirmed for many Southerners the existence of a widespread Northern plot against slavery. In fact, Brown had raised funds for his raid from Northern abolitionists. To arm the slaves, he ordered one thousand pikes from a Connecticut manufacturer. Letters to Governor Wise betrayed the mixed feelings people held for Brown. For some, he was simply insane and should not be hanged. For others, he was a martyr to the cause of abolition, and his quick trial and execution reflected the fear and arrogance of the Virginia slave-owning aristocracy. Many Northerners condemned Brown's actions but thought him right in his conviction that slavery had to end. John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry and his subsequent execution further polarized North and South and made a solution of the slavery issue central to the national debate which ultimately led to Civil War in 1861.

Genres: Military History

ebook

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

not exactly literature but concise & informative

[Almantas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Osprey Publishing Raid publication.

[Frédéric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very comprehensive narration of John Brown's actions at Harper's Ferry. Detailed yet clear and easy to read. Osprey's bird's eye views are once again of great help to visualize the city, its buildings and everybody's whereabouts.
I don't feel like I need to read something else on the topic, all I wanted to know is here.

[Sean Chick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good and very well illustrated summation of John Brown insurrection (it was not a raid so stop using that word). I have found some of Field's other Civil War books for Osprey wanting, but this one is about as good as it gets.