Book: Midnight Rising

Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid that Sparked the Civil War by Tony Horwitz

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


First off, the author acknowledges the role that librarians and historians played in helping him access the materials necessary to write this book, so mad props to him for that.

As for the book itself, it brings a depth to Brown that mainstream books haven't provided before. He's not just the wild-eyed butcher of Kansas but a loving father and husband, whose heartfelt beliefs about the equality of men drove much of his life. At the same time, he may have very well led his men into unwilling martyrdom. Additionally, Horwitz demonstrates how Brown's actions at Harpers Ferry directly led to secession and ultimately civil war.

Going to recommend this one to all my WV friends and family, most of whom know only the basics from 8th grade history and field trips to Jefferson County.



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