Good Essay On Fires Of Jubilee

This book, written by Stephen B. Oates, depicts the slave rebellion of Virginia circa 1831. The story describes how Nat Turner led the rebellion and also how reprisals damaged the idea of a contented slave and a master, and how the rebellion also awakened changes in America leading to the savage Civil War.
Oates has written many acclaimed biographies on leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., and in this story he was also able to describe a colourful account of the rebellious acts of 1831. He was able to detail Turner’s complex personality and how he led the rebellion through various social pressures and highlighted the legacy Turner left behind for years to come. Oates was able to capture a significant turning point for America by detailing the dramatic and rather turbulent period which marked a crucial era in history.
Although this book was a rather easy read for a grade-12 level, it could be viewed as a disappointing account of the slave rebellion led by Turner. Oates does obviously try to stay objective, but unfortunately he was not able to avoid such liberal prejudices of the black community. For instance, Oates describes a trip he took with his wife to a monument where Turner led slave rebellion and he describes how two black people pulled them over and how he was afraid to get out of the vehicle. He describes the area as ‘black property’ which makes the reader think Oates’ liberal, white accounts is somewhat discreditable even though the book was properly researched.