John Brown--The Cost of Freedom: Selections from His Life & Letters

Now released on International Publishers

Following his first book on John Brown, the first complete biography published since the 1970s, Louis A. DeCaro Jr. has written a concise, substantial, and eloquent study of the most controversial and misunderstood man in the history of the United States.

Using indepth research, DeCaro challenges almost every hackneyed assumption about Brown thriving in academia today, from the claim that he was a seriously flawed businessman in the 1830s and 1840s, to the notion that he failed to win the support of enslaved people in Virginia in 1859.

Meticulously researched and beautifully written, John Brown--The Cost of Freedom chronicles the evolution of the most radical anti-slavery figure in our nation's history from "compassionate conservative" to radical freedom fighter.

DeCaro has not only prepared a thoroughly researched study that will be ideal for history enthusiasts as well as scholars, but has provided twenty of Brown's letters, some published for the first time, making this book ideal for classroom use as well. A valuable and readable study, John Brown--The Cost of Freedom is a preliminary to the author's forthcoming collection of Brown's letters, the most extensive life-and-letters collection ever published.

Students and history enthusiasts will find this compact book loaded with insights, some of which have come to print for the first time since Brown's death in 1859.

* The real identity of Nelson Hawkins and Isaac Smith, whose names John Brown appropriated as pseudonyms in the late 1850s

* The first study of Brown's early business activities set in the economic and regional context of his time

* An indepth discussion of Brown's alliance with Frederick Douglass, and how Douglass stylized his final autobiography in recounting his tensions with Brown over the planning of the raid on Harper's Ferry

* How John Brown was actually one of the foremost experts in fine sheep and wool in the United States during the 1840s, how his business efforts were also a justice effort undermined by wealthy manufacturers

* How the conventional interpretation of the Harper's Ferry Raid is incorrect in light of the evidence that enslaved people were ready and waiting to join Brown in 1859

* The fascinating story of how John Brown's body was secretly prepared for burial in New York City

Section titles

1. The Man and His Times

2. The Real Story of Businessman Brown

3. The Hard Lessons of Capitalism

4. The Making of a Radical Reformer

5. Kansas

6. The Road to Virginia

7. The Raid Reconsidered

8. John Brown–for the Record

9. John Brown’s Body Revisited

. . .AND 20 John Brown letters, some of which have never been published before.

"Markedly distinguishing DeCaro's book is the amount of valuable and hitherto unacknowledged data he has unearthed from neglected or overlooked sources. With erudition, logic and eloquence, De Caro takes us through Brown's abolitionist career - - [and] to realize - once and for all - how outlandish is the myth of John Brown as a bloodthirsty religious fanatic - - history has vindicated John Brown’s project." Albert Fried, author, JOHN BROWN'S JOURNEY

"Louis DeCaro's books on Malcolm X and John Brown have filled a void in scholarship concerning the deep religious motivations of both men. John Brown: The Cost of Freedom is an informative, accessible text that reveals the depth and complexity of Brown's character. - - DeCaro helps us to see that Brown's anti-slavery activities were guided by a deep moral sensibility, even in his conduct during the Harper's Ferry Raid.” Mark L.Chapman, Chair, African American Studies, Fordham University; author, CHRISTIANITY ON TRIAL: AFRICAN-AMERICAN RELIGIOUS THOUGHT BEFORE AND AFTER BLACK POWER

"What we Americans tell ourselves about John Brown provides some measure of the race relations of our age. The sacrifices of Schwerner, Goodman, Liuzzo and other white civil rights martyrs have slowly made possible John Brown’s return to sanity. As a result, Lou DeCaro’s book can now take its place as a John Brown for our age. Its primary sources combined with DeCaro’s compact biography help bring the Old Man back to life. And we still need him. For as Brown himself said after his arrest, 'This Negro question is still to be settled.'” James W. Loewen, author, LIES MY TEACHER TOLD ME, AND SUNDOWN TOWNS

Louis A. DeCaro Jr.

Lou DeCaro Jr. is married to Michele Sweeting DeCaro, a gospel music vocalist and educator. They live in New York City with their young son, Louis Michael DeCaro.

Lou is assistant professor of church history and theology at Alliance Theological Seminary's New York City branch, and is also pastor of The Fellowship Chapel (Brethren in Christ) in the Bronx. He holds graduate degrees from Westminster Theological Seminary (1982) and New York University (1987), where he also earned his Ph.D. (1994). His first scholarly contributions were two religiously oriented bio-studies of Malcolm X published by New York University Press (1995, 1997). In 1996, he shifted the focus of his study to John Brown the abolitionist, and has since been intensely interested in Brown's life and letters. Working in conjunction with other grassroots Brown researchers, he is part of a renewed movement of interest in the abolitionist that is challenging the status quo prejudices and distortions that have typified "ivory tower" analyses since the days of Allen Nevins in the mid-20th century.

Visit Lou DeCaro Jr's JOHN BROWN BLOG

Blow Ye the Trumpet

John Brown's all time favorite song was an 18th century hymn by Charles Wesley entitled, "Blow Ye the Trumpet, Blow." It was his personal anthem and it represented both his personal spirituality as a Christian and his passionate opposition to chattel slavery. As you listen to this simple tune and read Wesley's lyrics, you may even catch a glimpse of Old John Brown . . . .

Blow ye the trumpet, blow!
The gladly solemn sound
Let all the nations know,
To earth’s remotest bound:

The year of jubilee is come!
The year of jubilee is come!
Return, ye ransomed sinners, home.

Ye slaves of sin and hell,
Your liberty receive,
And safe in Jesus dwell,
And blest in Jesus live:

The year of Jubilee . . . .

Ye who have sold for naught
Your heritage above
Shall have it back unbought,
The gift of Jesus’ love:

The year of Jubilee . . . .

Visit the publisher's website. . .

Where you can buy good John Brown books (including this one!)