harpers ferry (w. va.) $x history $y john brown's raid, 1859

A long narrative poem covering the Civil War, and individual figures of both North and South, soldiers and civilians.

A biography of the abolitionist John Brown detailing the historical context in which he lived and the legacy he left behind. Discussed is his raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia in 1859 and his belief that slavery would not end without the use of violence. Discussed is whether violence is ever acceptable as a form of protest, a question that Brown's contemporaries asked themselves and one that is still debated.