John Brown: "The Thundering Voice of Jehovah" A Pictorial Heritage

Multicultural Education, Fall 2001 by Thompson, Johnnie

JOHN BROWN: "THE THUNDERING VOICE OF JEHOVAH" PICTORIAL HERITAGE by Stan Cohen. Pictorial Histories Publishing Company. ISBN. 1-57510-055-X; $14.95.

-Reviewed by Johnnie Thompson

As stated in the introduction to this work, there are numerous biographies concerning the renowned abolitionist John Brown. This book includes a collection of notable photographs, diagrams, documents, and commentaries-many of which are not found in other biographies-- that uniquely summarize the conflicting ideology and impact of John Brown.

The subject is approached from several different and sometimes conflicting perspectives. Was John Brown a martyr, giving and dedicating his life to the cause of freeing slaves, or was he a mentally-- challenged murderer scheming to commit treason and to kill the innocent?

The multiple photographs and sketches depicting John Brown at various stages of his adult life are from both primary and contemporary sources. Beginning with the cover, each seem to convey an image of a complex personality-- from demonic and menacing to nurturing and successful. Photographs are also included of the children fathered by John Brown.

The author has located newspaper articles, flyers, signed statements, and letters that provoke the reader to further wonder about the enigmatic John Brown. Several of the documents included in the book are purported to be copies of authentic writings of John Brown and his sons. The content of the letters seems to be authentic; however, the perfect calligraphy used in the writing raises a question as to whether John Brown actually wrote the letters.

Although the book is informative as well as thought provoking, several commentaries indicate a certain bias on the part of the author. For example, a description of Turner's Revolt reads, "During the revolt, 55 white men, women, and children were murdered by armed slaves." A more neutral description, such as the total number of whites and slaves that were killed, might lend more objectivity to this work. One is left with the feeling that the author adopts the view that John Brown's purpose was questionable and that his mental health was unsound. The book appears to be ambiguous by design, indicating that the author may have been seeking to lend an air of objectivity to the work. He has been unable, however, to eliminate the tint of bias that colors several captions and commentaries. Despite this, however, because of the myriad of material ineluded, the book should be required reading for any critical analysis of the life and times of John Brown.

-Johnnie Thompson is an associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas.