April 23, 2005

Weird John Brown - vindicated by history, this abolitionist visionary was a man who innately understood feminism long before its time, a respected friend of native Americans and an eloquent speaker, but also man of violence who drew no distinction between the innocent and guilty in 'a society determined to perpetuate an evil'. A new biography restores Brown’s centrality to the Civil War.
posted by At Swim Two Birds 19 years ago
  • Here is an interesting interview with the biography's author, David Reynolds. winMP link
  • Terrific article. I had only a dull understanding of Brown's place in history but this has sharpened it. I think I'll give Reynold's book a read.
  • the interview was interesting - apparently Brown would never even be remembered today if it wasn't for his celebrity trial. I like to think that when John Brown got to heaven he let out a resounding "D'oh!"
  • Sarah Vowell wrote and read a fucking fantastic piece for "This American Life" (which may be the best weekly radio show I've ever heard in my life) about the history of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, including the tune's birth as "John Brown's Body." Evidently, it lies a-moulderin' in the grave.
  • His truth goes marching on though doesn't it mct?
  • Indeed it do, Abiezer_Coppe, indeed it do.
  • As do the ants.
  • His truth comes in on little frog feet. It sits peeping over over bean soup and cornpone on battered haunxhes and then moves on.
  • =haunches