John Brown: Civil Rights Legend or Homegrown Terrorist?

The Takeaway

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. The road to America’s bloodiest conflict was certainly a long one. But the spark that set the war in motion began on October 16th, 1859. That night, a fierce abolitionist named John Brown staged a bloody raid on the armory at Harper’s Ferry. Historians have long cited John Brown’s raid as the beginning of the end for slavery in the United States. But little has been known about the man himself, until now. Tony Horwitz,  an award-winning author and Civil War expert, tells the story of John Brown in his new book, “Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Road that Sparked the Civil War.”

Invest in independent global news

The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!