John Brown, Abolitionist

-Almost every page forces you to think hard, and in new ways, about American violence, American history, and what used to be called the American character.- -The New Yorker-A rich, nuanced and exhaustively researched 'life and times' that positions the abolitionist firmly in the context of 19th-century American culture. . . . Impeccably written.- -San Francisco Chronicle-Splendidly written. . . . Reynolds is that rarest of authors who knows how to write well and who successfully presents a life-size image of Brown, warts and all.- -Denver Post-The most complete word on Brown as man and myth. . . . Nobody knows more about American society and culture in the first two-thirds of the 19th century than Reynolds. . . . Vivid and convincing. . . . The best volume we now have on that incendiary figure.--The Providence Journal-Absorbing.--New York Times Book Review- This well-researched book . . . peels away some of the extreme interpretations of Brown and offers a generally balanced and objective assessment of why he should matter.--St. Louis Post-Dispatch-Great sensitivity, thorough research, and some marvelous narrative.--Washington Post Book World-A rich, nuanced and exhaustively researched 'life and times' that positions the abolitionist firmly in the context of 19th century American culture . . . impeccably written.--San Francisco Chronicle-A masterful exploration of a fascinating, flawed character and his cultural impact.--Atlanta Journal-Constitution-Absorbing, well written and beautifully documented.--The Nation