Customer Reviews

Freedom's Champion: Elijah Lovejoy

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've concluded that the epic of Mr. Lovejoy, a contemporary of Abraham Lincoln, is about a man who didn't know when to quit. Former U.S. Senator from Illinois, Paul Simon, has formulated a fast reading, riveting rendition of the way too brief life of this "glutton for punishment." Simon's account coincides well with the embarrassing story presented in Alton,IL these days. Still, I was left with questions, like "Why didn't Reverend Lovejoy move on?" "Was Lovejoy the catalyst for the American Civil War rather than John Brown?" and "Why was Abraham Lincoln's duel in Alton cancelled?" I found the answers by visiting the city where the final months of this anti-slavery newspaper editor's life transpired. The tale of Elijah P. Lovejoy, although 165 years old, gave me plenty of food for thought. If you want to know more there are other books. If you want the gist, this volume will serve you well.

If you: are familiar with the charming but rough little city of Alton, Illinois; live near St. Louis; have heard of Elijah Lovejoy but really don't know anything about him; are interested in the times and issues of Americans in other eras; appreciate the late Senator Paul Simon; or, are interested in the issue of slavery and its abolition in America, then this is a book for you. I acquired it only because I attended one of Senator Simon's book signings, but in reading it I was pleasantly surprised to see how well this short biography is presented and how much I learned. The life and times of Lovejoy are extraordinary pieces of American history that, like so many others, are fading from general public knowledge. Simon started life as a newspaper man, and the writing in this book reflects that. Lovejoy's life is presented with stark objectivity. Editorializing is not necessary with these facts anyway.

This is a well-written and short presentation of Lovejoy. There may be more 'scholarly' biographies out there, but if you are interested in the subject, this is a good bet.