John Brown’s commitment to ending slavery was total. He brought up his sons to join him in his cause. The boycotts and debates of other abolitionists were not enough: nothing short of war was acceptable.

In his unyielding commitment to rid America of slavery Brown committed coldblooded murder at the Pottawatomie massacre, and led his sons and friends to almost certain death at Harpers Ferry.

Does his life show the demands of integrity may compel one toward madness, monstrousness, and murder?

Suggested reading

• Russell Banks. Cloudsplitter
• Susan Neiman 2010. ‘Victims and Heroes‘, Tanner Lecture