will write his epitaph upon the hearts of a people freed from slavery, because he struck the first effectual blow (page 120). John Brown was a man so determined to help the slaves get their freedom and to spread the message across the country that he enjoyed being in jail after the raid on Harpers Ferry because it gave him a chance to preach to and argue with slave holders to try and win them over and change their life and way of thinking. On page 162 John Brown states his feelings of being locked up by stating, I have very many interesting visits from proslavery persons almost daily, and I endeavor to improve them faithfully, plainly, and kindly. I do not think that I have enjoyed life better than since my confinement here. This helps us see the true feelings and meanings John Brown and what he did. He was a white man who in a time of moral confusion believed that equality of the blacks that were looked down upon should prevail and he risked and eventually gave his life for that cause. Barrie Stavis had certainly succeeded in his purpose of persuasion towards the sympathy of John Brown. He writes about John Browns strong feelings and includes stories that help to understand his passion and devotion along with the acts he did to help achieve his goal. Stavis makes Browns somewhat crazy antics seem justified. The book is organized in regards to the sequence of events in Browns life and the people he encountered. Barrie Stavis wanted to publish a book that could be enjoyed by the general reader and therefore composed it in a storytelling style as well as including interesting historical information for the more serious and critical reader. This talented author also composed the plays, Lamp at Midnight, The Man Who Never Died, Harpers Ferry, Coat of Many Colors, and Refuge, and wrote Home, Sweet Home! and The Chain of Command. The Sword and the Word is actually a companion volume to Staviss Harpers Ferry play. Publisher ...
