Our Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln, John Brown, and the Civil War Era.

Amherst, MA University of Massachusetts Press, 1979. Paperback Near Fine in Wraps: shows only the most minute indications of use, but the major flaw here is that the upper corner of the title page has been clipped; else, just a hint of wear to extremities; mildest rubbing. Binding square and secure; text clean. Very close to 'As New'. This is a REMAINDER, showing a small mark and a dot at the bottom edge of the text block. NOT a Book-Club or Ex-Library. 8vo. 150pp. University Press Paperback. Oates provides an overview of the civil war comparable to many other texts but where he earns high praise, is for the two chapters on John Brown. In the literature concerning John Brown, he has been portrayed as either an immortal hero or a psychopathic murderer. Each author found Brown either right or wrong. Oates has maintained sufficient distance to provide perspective. He is an exception in that he examined past works on Brown, providing the arguments for good or bad and then gave the documented facts for the reader to come to their conclusions. Consequently, all former texts had flaws and omissions because authors chose a side of this controversial figure and wrote accordingly. Oates is able to expose what is myth and what is factless opinion. So far in my findings this is the most unbiased look at the life of John Brown. It should be read following a biography on Brown as Oates does not write a life story but rather sifts through the flaws of myths and heroism.