Terry Bisson describes the 1831 slave revolt led by Nat Turner in Southampton County, Virginia. The book focuses on Turner's life, with an emphasis on the events that led to the slave uprising. Turner's religious views, along with the abuse and mistreatment he received at the hands of his owners are well documented. Plenty of background information is given on Turner's reasons for planning the rebellion. Bisson devotes significant time to describing the uprising against local farmers and slaveowners. Turner's plan is analyzed and each plantation attack is described in detail. Possible causes for the collapse of the rebellion are discussed, as well as the search for Turner in the months following the uprising. The trials and phsyical attacks on the slaves who were suspected of participation in the rebellion are described in detail, with Turner's trial and execution receiving the most attention. Connections are also made between the Turner revolt and larger issues surrounding slavery in the Antebellum United States.
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The review of this Book prepared by Mark Simpson
