Fifteen Eighty Four

Steven Lubet’s The “Colored Hero” of Harper’s Ferry reveals the incredible untold story of a 25-year-old black man, born free in North Carolina and committed to the abolitionist cause, who was at the center of John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry and, inevitably, the national fight for emancipation. He fought bravely at Harper’s Ferry, only to be captured and executed for treason.

This vivid portrait of one free man’s determined journey to end slavery and the tragedy that cut his efforts short is the first biography of this little-known figure. This week on the blog, we’ll be featuring an exclusive excerpt, a Q&A with author Steven Lubet, and a timeline of Copeland’s brief but fascinating life. Check out our book trailer below and stay tuned for more on this breathtaking fall highlight!