John Brown and his violent attacks on slavery have been romanticized through the years. Find out about the man behind the myth and learn about his contribution to the abolitionist movement. The book is complete with timeline, primary sources, photographs, and excerpts from the time period.
"Before the Fire ohn Brown was born at the dawn of the nineteenth century and died on the eve of the Civil War. He is seen today by some as a hero and martyr, by others as a terrorist. His story raises questions that are as important now as they were in his day: How far should a person go to support a cause? Is it ever right to commit acts of violence, even murder, for a goal believed to be noble and just? Brown fought to end slavery in the United States. His fight was part of a larger national struggle, one that had been building since the early days of the American colonies."