Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

“Nat Turner, Black Prophet: A Visionary History” by Anthony E. Kaye, with contributions from Gregory P. Downs, is a compelling and meticulously researched work that offers a fresh perspective on one of the most enigmatic figures in American history. The book is set to be released on August 13, 2024, and promises to be a significant contribution to the field of historical literature.

At the heart of this narrative is the figure of Nat Turner, an enslaved preacher whose name is synonymous with the largest slave revolt in the United States. Turner’s rebellion in 1831 was a pivotal moment in American history, and Kaye’s work delves deep into the spiritual and prophetic dimensions that drove Turner to lead this uprising.

Kaye’s approach is unique in that he does not shy away from Turner’s divine visions. Instead, he places these spiritual experiences at the center of the narrative, tracing their roots back to the world of nineteenth-century Methodism. This context provides a rich backdrop against which the events of the rebellion unfold, offering readers a deeper understanding of Turner’s motivations and the religious fervor that fueled his actions.

The book also explores the broader implications of the rebellion, particularly how it accelerated the end of a world where interracial churches and Black preachers were more common in the South. The aftermath of Turner’s revolt led to stricter controls over the enslaved population, even as the fear of further uprisings continued to shape the political landscape.

Kaye, along with Downs, presents a narrative that is both historical and prophetic, one that honors Turner’s legacy without sanitizing the violence and desperation of his struggle for freedom. The prose is engaging, and the research is thorough, making “Nat Turner, Black Prophet: A Visionary History” a must-read for anyone interested in the complexities of American slavery and the enduring impact of Turner’s rebellion.

In conclusion, this book is not just a recounting of historical events; it is an exploration of the human spirit’s quest for liberation and the profound ways in which faith can inspire revolutionary change. It is a testament to the power of visionaries like Nat Turner, who, despite the constraints of their time, dared to envision a world of freedom and fought valiantly to bring it into being.

This book is a look into the driving force behind the slave rebellion famously led by Nat Turner. The obvious motive would be to garner freedom and exact revenge for horrific abuses, however, Tony Kaye (and Gregory Downs) delve even deeper into the personal psyche of the man who put into motion what would become one of the turning points in American history.
Kaye examines the religious milieu of the 1830’s and how attitudes towards slavery intersected with those of righteous warfare. Into to this setting came a man who believed himself to be a prophet in the mold of a Moses leading his people from exile. I found this book to be a fascinating look into a tipping point in the antebellum South.

Having also read “Confessions” a few years ago, this book helped shined new light and insight and imparted truer details to the story than the retelling of Thomas Gray’s interview with Nat in the days after his capture. What stands out in the history of Nat Turner is just how much of his story is unknown. Kaye’s diligent work fills as many of those gaps as possible and attempts to present us with what Nat may have been thinking and feeling at given moments along the way. As a contrast, “Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid that Sparked the Civil War” is a favorite of mine and it is not lost on me that we learn so much about Brown’s life before, after, and during the events at Harper’s Ferry because those details were available. Conversely there are so many gaps and unknowns in the life of Nat Turner, and we realize that it’s not for lack of research, as this book in its painstaking years of study can attest. But instead it’s a sad and ugly truth that we know little, because Nat Turner lived in a society that did not value the humanity and being of the black person.

I found this to be an insightful read, and a fitting bookend to the legacy of the author. The postscript included by Downs at the end of the book was also a heartfelt tribute to Kaye. A special thanks to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for an advanced copy.

Kaye's book does a great job at unpacking the Nat Turner rebellion, and does so from the unique perspective of religion. He provides some excellent background and context to the event, looking at the waves of religious change taking place in the country, as well as the impact of religion on enslaved people. Furthermore, he includes significant geographical context about the areas of rebellion and the social developments of the time. All of this makes for a much richer and deeper entry point into Turner's story. Turner, Kaye argues, can best be understood through the lens of religious fervor and racial discord that had been sweeping through the nation. In Ch. 3, he does a great job casting Turner in terms of being seen as a prophet, linking him to Methodism and Exodus imagery.
A key point for Turner was his insistence on being visited by a "Spirit" that called, maybe even commanded him to action. Beginning with the fifth chapter, Kaye then unpacks the narrative of the rebellion in great storytelling and captivating prose.

It would seem this book was influenced, consciously or unconsciously, but the focus of the impact of religious fundamentalism these days. It calls into question issues about the justification of violence, and the rationalization of such acts by theological means. This then might make readers wonder how close Nat Turner was to a cult leader, and what of the followers who bought into his messaging?

Kaye's book fills a hole in the historiography of Nat Turner in a profound and readable way. I feel like his story has finally been done justice.

Thank you to NetGallery and publisher for an advanced copy of this book. It is. a very well written and comprehensive study of Nate Turner. Unfortunately. I misjudged it as an historical fiction when I requested it. This book would be an excellent read for someone looking for the history of Nate Turner and his accomplishments.

This is a really fascinating read. Until I read this book, I didn't realize how religiously motivated Turner was. The authors do their utmost to illuminate his entire worldview and the entire project makes him much more human.

This book was researched by Kaye before his death and he left extensive written notes and drafts. Downs then worked with that material, extensively re-writing most of it. His goal was to present Kaye's thoughts as best he could. The end result works well, IMO.

For readers who want to take a much deeper dive into the story of Nat Turner and how he developed his rebellion against enslavers, this book will help to fill in some of the gaps or more intensive questions that require more complex answers.

One of the things the book starts off with referencing is the broader world of slave revolts, including that of Denmark Vesey in Charleston, South Carolina, around 1822.

This book sketches a complete pyschological but also religious account of all of the things that Turner believed, the things that influenced him, and his psyche overall.

Theology readers or those who have a deep interest in books that have religious history as part of their content in a major way will want to invest in a copy of this book both in terms of academic libraries but also for special book sales opportunities like Christian bookstores and those of other faiths. It’s a very eye-opening text with much nuance.

Ultimately, this book is a much more expanded offering on Nat Turner, his rebellion, and adds much context to the overall discussions in this area.

Truly excellent and very well written book. The person of Nat Turner is fascinating, and the authors successfully integrate the best known details and history to contextualize and explain who he is and his significance. Especially important in this book is not only the excellent distillation of relevant U.S. history but also a wonderful discussion of the role of religion. The sophistication provided in this clear narrative is outstanding. Highly recommended.