Nat Turner, Black Prophet

"A masterwork of historical research, thinking, and writing, Nat Turner, Black Prophet is a remarkable and compelling effort to deepen our understanding of one of America's most important and enigmatic figures—one that places Nat Turner's prophetic vision at the center of this story. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the complex currents of American slavery and the nineteenth century more broadly—a stunning achievement for Anthony Kaye and Gregory Downs alike." —Steven Hahn, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of A Nation Under Our Feet and Illiberal America

"With crisp and energetic prose, Anthony E. Kaye and Gregory P. Downs reveal how the greatest slave revolt in American history was wrought of divine inspiration and pursued with Biblical violence. Far from modern sensibilities of either time or justice, Nat Turner’s famous rebellion rose from ancient ideas of prophecy. A marvelous excavation, this book will long stand as an outstanding exercise in the capturing of a historical consciousness." —Jefferson Cowie, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Freedom’s Dominion: A Saga of White Resistance to Federal Power

"A short blurb cannot do justice to this stunning book. It is the most challenging attempt to take seriously a self-proclaimed prophet and agent of Divine retribution I have read since Abraham Joshua Heschel’s classic The Prophets. It should be read not only by academic historians, political scientists, sociologists, lawyers, and theologians, but also by anyone who appreciates a gripping narrative of a key moment in American history." —Sanford Levinson, professor at the University of Texas Law School and author of Written in Stone: Public Monuments in Changing Societies

"A vivid and erudite reconstruction of Nat Turner as a biblical warrior, framing his thoughts and actions in a distinct Black Christian evangelical tradition. A remarkably compelling piece of scholarship, which provides a fresh perspective on the 1831 revolt." —Sudhir Hazareesingh, lecturer in politics at Balliol College, Oxford and author of Black Spartacus: The Epic Life of Toussaint Louverture

"An unfinished historical project of the late Anthony E. Kaye has been brought to an impressive conclusion by Gregory P. Downs. Deep research into the life and times of Nat Turner leads to the book’s conclusion that he grounded his life in a distinct strain of Black Methodism that enabled the enslaved Virginian to regard himself as an ancient Hebrew prophet who, after intense internal struggle, determined to exterminate the enemies of the Lord as had Israelite armies of old. In the authors’ convincing words, 'Nat’s language of religion does not serve to communicate the real story; it is the real story.' —Mark Noll, professor of history emeritus at the University of Notre Dame and author of America's Book