Book Review: Am I Not A Man: The Dred Scott Story

An illiterate slave, Dred Scott trusted in an all-white, slave-owning jury to declare him free. But after briefly experiencing the glory of freedom and manhood, a new state Supreme Court ordered the cold steel of the shackles to be closed again around his wrists and ankles. Falling to his knees, Dred cried, "Ain't I a man?" Dred answered his own question by rising and taking his fight to the U.S. Supreme Court.

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Dred ultimately lost his epic battle when the Chief Justice declared that a black man was so inferior that he had "no rights a white man was bound to respect."

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Dred died not knowing that his undying courage led directly to the election of President Abraham Lincoln and the emancipation proclamation.Dred Scott's inspiring and compelling true story of adventure, courage, love, hatred, and friendship parallels the history of this nation from the long night of slavery to the narrow crack in the door that would ultimately lead to freedom and equality for all men.

There are so many things to be said about this book, it will be hard to narrow it to a helpful review!

For history buffs, which I think most people who pick this book up will be, this is a must have. It should be the staple of a historian's library, especially for those interested in the Civil War. I can see, and would highly recommend, Am I Not A Man being put to great use as required reading for college, or even high school, American History courses. The detail included of such a confusing time in US history is astounding.

I am not a history buff. And the entire thought of slavery ever being allowed in this, the home of the free, sickens me.

This story was almost agonizing for me to read. Not because of the writing style, which was excellent, but because this is a true story. Mark Shurtleff captured the person so well that you get to know these people, and this man who took the name of Dred, and it is almost as if it's happening to a dear friend!

Knowing that Dred died before the complete tale was told worried me when I first started reading. How can you possibly have a happy ending in that case? You can't really. The end may not be happy, but it is triumphant, and in this case, I think that is the better of the two options. Dred Scott's life, his persistance and determination to oppose the law peacefully instead of turning to violence, affected an entire nation. I am glad that his story was told, and not allowed to fall into obscurity, as I'm sure many, many others have done.

So - did I enjoy the book? Not exactly, but I am glad I read it.

Good for kids? Not remotely. There is nothing inappropriate in the writing, but the subject matter, and the cold, hard facts of what Dred and his family endured, are too much for young readers. Give this to history buffs, teach it in college classrooms, that is where it will do the most good!

Would I recommend it? HIGHLY.

Am I Not A Man? by Mark Shurtleff

Publisher: Valor Publishing Group; 1st edition (November 3, 2009)
ISBN-10: 1935546007
ISBN-13: 978-1935546009

Available to purchase at Amazon.com - Follow THIS LINK.