160 years ago this week, the abolitionist John Brown led a raid on the army arsenal at Harpers Ferry hoping to arm slaves who would rise in rebellion. We ask historian Martha Jones what drove Brown, and how history views him.
Then, author Ed Maliskas tells how the farm in Washington County Maryland, where Brown and his men planned their raid, was bought by the Black Elks fraternal organization as a landmark of freedom, and then drew crowds of young people for concerts by R&B giants.
In three weeks—Friday, Nov. 8—Ed Maliskas will be speaking about the book at the Miller House Museum, 135 W. Washington St., Hagerstown 21740. It starts at 6 p.m. You can register here.
"John Brown to James Brown: The Little Farm where Liberty Budded, Blossomed and Boogied" can be found at the following bookstores:
Visitor Welcome Center in Hagerstown, MD
Pura Vida Coffee in Hagerstown, MD
Curious Iguana in Frederick, MD
Turn the Page Bookstore in Boonsboro, MD
Four Seasons Books in Shepherdstown, WV
The Bookshop in Harpers Ferry, WV
Winchester Book Gallery in Winchester, VA
