Nat Turner

Nat Turner: Prophet and Slave Revolt Leader
by Terry Bisson
The Black American Series

A fiery preacher and militant leader, Nat Turner organized a slave uprising that struck a defiant blow against slavery in the United States 30 years before the start of the Civil War.

A well-written, sympathetic biography of the leader of our nations' bloodiest slave revolt60 whites were killed by the insurgents in 1831, and 200 blacks lost their lives in the ensuing terror. Bisson creates an excellent background to Turner's life, describing not only the daily life of a slave, but also how it felt to have no control over one's destiny. The violence of Turner's revolt is toned down a bit for the younger audience, without losing the chaotic emotions behind it. In addition to the loss of life, Bisson points out that the revolution shattered the notions "that the slaves would not, or could not, fight for their freedom,'' and that "blacks were happy as slaves and would submit forever to be beasts of burden.''