"Redpath's Public Life of John Brown was his "most popular and influential work" (Knight, Writers of the American Renaissance, 310). While "there is no evidence that Brown asked Redpath to participate in his raid on the Harpers Ferry arsenal, there is considerable evidence that Redpath knew many details of Brown's plan. Besides his personal conversations with Brown, Redpath had discussed Brown's intentions with [journalist] Richard Hinton as early as fall 1858...[and] knew enough to recruit his friend Merriam for Brown's raiding party... Redpath's commitment to full black rights never wavered" (McKivigan, 47, xii). In his many-storied career, he played "a role in almost every meaningful reform movement of his day. Along the way he... worked for the governments of Haiti and the United States, went undercover among the slaves of the Old South, agitated for Irish rights [and] fought in Bleeding Kansas" (Edward E. Baptist)." -- baumannrarebooks.com

Frontispiece signed: Engr. J.C. Buttre; illustrations signed: Raiche[l?]-Russell.

Book first : He keepeth the sheep. The child and his ancestors -- The father of the man -- The man -- Perkins and Brown, wool factors -- North Elba -- Book second : Goliath's challenge accepted. The Lord's first call -- The work begun -- "Southern rights to all" -- In caucus and camp -- Pottawattomie -- H. Clay Pate -- Battle of Black Jack -- The conquest of Kansas complete -- Battle of Osawatomie -- John Brown's defence of Lawrence -- Return to the east -- Speech to the Massachusetts legislature -- Book third : The sword of Gideon. Whetting the sword -- Some shadows before -- Fleshing the sword -- Exodus -- Assembling to conspire -- Making ready -- The blow struck -- Sword in hand -- Fallen among thieves -- Spoils of war -- The political inquisitors -- Lodged in jail -- Book fourth : Among the Philistines. The preliminary examination -- Judicial alacrity -- State evidence -- State evidence closed -- The defence -- Lawyers' pleas -- Condemned to die -- The conquering pen -- Forty days in chains -- Husband and wife -- The victory over death.