Review by Library Journal Review
This harrowing, almost wordless two-part nonfiction drama depicted in beautifully realized charcoal-like drawings begins with Africans torn from their home by slavers and forced into supporting American industry and domestic life before the Civil War. Nat Turner's mother is among those captured and confined in unspeakable conditions during the ocean passage. Turner himself grows up a self-educated, deeply religious slave who becomes a heroic, tragic figure when he leads the only effective sustained slave revolt in U.S. history. The rebels succeed in killing some 60 white people before the rebellion is quashed and Turner captured. After a lengthy interview with his lawyer that was later published, Turner is tried and hanged, his body mutilated. Baker's suspenseful and violent work documents the slave trade's atrocities as no textbook can, with an emotional power approaching that of Maus and expressive black-and-white art. Winner of an Eisner Award and several Glyph Awards, Nat Turner is suitable for ages 12+ and recommended for teen and adult collections, as well as African American collections. This is an excellent candidate for academic libraries and curriculum support at varying levels. Includes a short bibliography.-M.C. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
