Midnight Rising by Tony Horwitz offers a well-researched and vivid account of John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry, receiving praise for its engaging narrative and historical depth. Critics commend Horwitz's storytelling and character portrayal but note occasional dense passages that may challenge some readers. Overall, it's valued for its insightful look at a pivotal moment in American history.

Readers who enjoy Midnight Rising by Tony Horwitz are typically history enthusiasts intrigued by America’s pre-Civil War era and radical abolitionist movements. Comparable to those who appreciate David McCullough’s John Adams or Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Team of Rivals, they seek richly detailed narratives rooted in historical events and figures.

Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid That Sparked the Civil War by Tony Horwitz explores the life of John Brown, whose 1859 raid on Harpers Ferry aimed to incite a revolution against enslavement, tracing his early influences, radicalization, violent actions in Kansas, meticulous planning of the raid, and the raid’s aftermath, ultimately propelling the nation towards the Civil War. The book includes detailed descriptions of violence, racism and racial injustice, and enslavement.

Informative / Mysterious / Dark / Suspenseful / Challenging

- Midnight Rising by Tony Horwitz not only explores the historical figure John Brown, but also delves into the complex Social and political landscape of the 1850s, setting a poignant context for his dramatic raid on Harpers Ferry.
- The book was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in History, reflecting its critical acclaim and detailed research into a pivotal event in American history.
- Tony Horwitz's engaging narrative style in Midnight Rising brings to life the turbulent pre-Civil War era, drawing readers into the fervor and chaos of the abolitionist movement.

**Tony Horwitz**  
A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author known for combining thorough research with storytelling to explore historical figures and events.

**John Brown**  
An American abolitionist known for his attempted raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859, an event that heightened tensions before the Civil War.

**Frederick Douglass**  
A prominent former enslaved person and leader in the abolitionist movement who had complex interactions with Brown regarding strategies for ending enslavement.

**Robert E. Lee**  
Before gaining fame as a Confederate general, he was a U.S. Army colonel who played a key role in suppressing Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry.

**Harriet Tubman**  
A courageous figure renowned for her work in the Underground Railroad, who supported Brown but did not participate in the Harpers Ferry raid.

**James Buchanan**  
The 15th president of the United States during the years leading up to the Civil War, representing the political challenges of the era.

**Mary Ann Brown**  
The supportive wife of John Brown, noted for her resilience and dedication to his abolitionist mission despite personal losses.

**Osborne Anderson**  
One of the few African American participants in Brown’s Harpers Ferry raid, who later documented his experiences in a published account.

**John Wilkes Booth**  
A famous actor and supporter of the Southern cause who witnessed Brown's execution, later known for assassinating President Abraham Lincoln.

**Henry A. Wise**  
The Virginia governor who managed the legal proceedings of Brown’s trial, highlighting themes of states' rights and federal authority.

Tony Horwitz

Adult

Book

Nonfiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Midnight Rising reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Midnight Rising | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Midnight Rising and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Midnight Rising Summary and Study Guide

Background

Midnight Rising Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “The Road to Harpers Ferry”

Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 2

Midnight Rising Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 3-6

Midnight Rising Part 1, Chapters 3-6 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Into Africa”

Part 2, Chapters 7-9

Midnight Rising Part 2, Chapters 7-9 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “They Will Brown Us All”

Part 3-Epilogue

Midnight Rising Part 3-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

keyFigure

Key Figures

Midnight Rising Key Figures

theme

Themes

Midnight Rising Themes

Index of Terms

Midnight Rising Index of Terms

quote

citation

character

Important Quotes

Midnight Rising Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Midnight Rising Essay Topics

Midnight Rising

Before You Read

Super Short Summary

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Midnight Rising?

Reading Age

Book Details