Freeing Charles: The Struggle to Free a Slave on the Eve of the Civil War

by Scott Christianson

Freeing Charles recounts the life and epic rescue of captured fugitive slave Charles Nalle of Culpeper, Virginia, who was forcibly liberated by Harriet Tubman and others in Troy, New York, on April 27, 1860. Scott Christianson follows Nalle from his enslavement by the Hansborough family in Virginia through his escape by the Underground Railroad and his experiences in the North on the eve of the Civil War. This engaging narrative represents the first in-depth historical study of this crucial incident, one of the fiercest anti-slavery riots after Harpers Ferry. Christianson also presents a richly detailed look at slavery culture in antebellum Virginia and probes the deepest political and psychological aspects of this epic tale. His account underscores fundamental questions about racial inequality, the rule of law, civil disobedience, and violent resistance to slavery in the antebellum North and South.  As seen in New York Times and on C-Span’s Book TV.

Genres: History

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 10, 2010

Reviews

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very thin book with a very big story inside. I had started this book earlier this summer and then sat it aside as other books claimed my attention. I'm glad I didn't give up on this slim volume. The author reveals his methodology towards the end of the book and the amount of detective work he did to piece this story together is remarkable. We meet several of the prime movers of the antebellum era, including Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and John Brown. In a personal aside, this book is the final book for my 2020 reading challenge; but don't fear. I will continue to add more titles through the next several months above and beyond my goal!!

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a remarkable true story that occurred in my hometown - Troy, NY. I recently came across the plaque commemorating Charles Nalle and wanted to learn more. This book provides that information. While the writing is at times dry and glosses over aspects of the story that I wanted to know more about, this is the only book focusing on Charles Nalle and his escape from slavery. We are lucky that it exists.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

very thoroughly researched story of a fugitive slave---1858---lots of info about Underground RR, Tubman, John Brown, etc.