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Midnight Rising
Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid That Sparked the Civil War | Tony Horwitz
A New York Times Notable Book for 2011A Library Journal Top Ten Best Books of 2011A Boston Globe Best Nonfiction Book of 2011Bestselling author Tony Horwitz tells the electrifying tale of the daring insurrection that put America on the path to bloody warPlotted in secret, launched in the dark, John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry was a pivotal moment in U.S. history. But few Americans know the true story of the men and women who launched a desperate strike at the slaveholding South. Now, Midnight Rising portrays Brown's uprising in vivid color, revealing a country on the brink of explosive conflict.Brown, the descendant of New England Puritans, saw slavery as a sin against America's founding principles. Unlike most abolitionists, he was willing to take up arms, and in 1859 he prepared for battle at a hideout in Maryland, joined by his teenage daughter, three of his sons, and a guerrilla band that included former slaves and a dashing spy. On October 17, the raiders seized Harpers Ferry, stunning the nation and prompting a counterattack led by Robert E. Lee. After Brown's capture, his defiant eloquence galvanized the North and appalled the South, which considered Brown a terrorist. The raid also helped elect Abraham Lincoln, who later began to fulfill Brown's dream with the Emancipation Proclamation, a measure he called "a John Brown raid, on a gigantic scale."Tony Horwitz's riveting book travels antebellum America to deliver both a taut historical drama and a telling portrait of a nation divideda time that still resonates in ours.
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literateBee

A history that is sadly still relevant today! Well worth reading.

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DivineDiana
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Although I have never read anything by the author Tony Horwitz, I was impressed by this memorial display for him that I saw at the Library today. Thought it was a thoughtful gesture.

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brennahawleycraig
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Belated #riotgrams from yesterday of #truestories: went Kansas-themed. Midnight Rising is all about John Brown, who is part of life in my area of the state from childhood. And of course In Cold Blood, which my dad remembers from childhood. His family lived in southwest Kansas, and he remembered Grandma locking all the doors because Grandpa was out of town. Can you imagine?! 😳 @bookriot

Tanzy13 🐶 7y
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Kristy_K
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Pickpick

Informative, but a little slow and dry for me. A detailed look at the Harper Ferry raid, the people involved, and the political state of the US at that time. Definitely recommend to history buffs. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

#history #civilwar

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TheNextBook
Pickpick

Informative, well written look at an abolitionist and his resolve to end slavery. Divided into three parts, Horwitz focused on Brown before the raid, the actions during the raid and what came after. Well laid out and full of history. Great read.

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TheNextBook
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This image is sticking with me. These men knew what thy were about to do. They knew they may have to take lives and possibly lose their own lives and they went forward. The honesty of American history really sucks.

Mayread There's a lot of blood and very little glory. 8y
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TheNextBook
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So far I am really enjoying this book and the history it is unveiling. If you are unaware of John Brown and his history as an abolitionist then this is a really great opportunity to learn more.

Suzze That sounds really interesting and informative! 8y
TheNextBook @Suzze this author is doing a pretty good job of telling an interesting story while giving a lot of information not only about Brown but about slavery and the anti-slavery movement leading up to the Civil War. 8y
Suzze @TheNextBook The library has it, just added it to my checkout list. 8y
MrBook A powerful and resonant event, to be sure. 8y
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TheNextBook
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The next book on my list is... really excited about this one!

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