We look forward to seeing you on your next visit to the library. Find a location near you.

Be free or die: the amazing story of Robert Smalls' escape from slavery to Union hero
(Book)

Book Cover
Average Rating
5 star
 
(0)
4 star
 
(1)
3 star
 
(0)
2 star
 
(0)
1 star
 
(0)
Published:
New York, NY : St. Martin's Press, 2017.
Physical Desc:
xiii, 272 pages. 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, map ; 22 cm
Status:
Fair Oaks
973.7 S635zL 2017
Galt
973.7 S635zL 2017
North Natomas
973.7 S635zL 2017
Description

***Finalist for the Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize***
Henry Louis Gates, Jr: "A stunning tale of a little-known figure in history."
Candice Millard: "Be Free or Die makes you want to stand up and cheer."

The astonishing true story of Robert Smalls' amazing journey from slave to Union hero and ultimately United States Congressman.

It was a mild May morning in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1862, the second year of the Civil War, when a twenty-three-year-old slave named Robert Smalls did the unthinkable and boldly seized a Confederate steamer. With his wife and two young children hidden on board, Smalls and a small crew ran a gauntlet of heavily armed fortifications in Charleston Harbor and delivered the valuable vessel and the massive guns it carried to nearby Union forces. To be unsuccessful was a death sentence for all. Smalls' courageous and ingenious act freed him and his family from slavery and immediately made him a Union hero while simultaneously challenging much of the country's view of what African Americans were willing to do to gain their freedom.
After his escape, Smalls served in numerous naval campaigns off Charleston as a civilian boat pilot and eventually became the first black captain of an Army ship. In a particularly poignant moment Smalls even bought the home that he and his mother had once served in as house slaves.
Cate Lineberry's Be Free or Die is a compelling narrative that illuminates Robert Smalls' amazing journey from slave to Union hero and ultimately United States Congressman. This captivating tale of a valuable figure in American history gives fascinating insight into the country's first efforts to help newly freed slaves while also illustrating the many struggles and achievements of African Americans during the Civil War.

Also in This Series
Copies
Location
Call Number
Status
Fair Oaks
973.7 S635zL 2017
On Shelf
Galt
973.7 S635zL 2017
On Shelf
North Natomas
973.7 S635zL 2017
On Shelf
Rancho Cordova
973.7 S635zL 2017
On Shelf
More Like This
Other Editions and Formats
More Copies In LINK+
Loading LINK+ Copies...
More Details
Format:
Book
Edition:
First edition.
Language:
English
ISBN:
9781250101860, 1250101867

Notes

Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (p. 237-263) and index.
Reviews from GoodReads
Loading GoodReads Reviews.
Citations
APA Citation (style guide)

Lineberry, C. (2017). Be free or die: the amazing story of Robert Smalls' escape from slavery to Union hero. First edition. New York, NY, St. Martin's Press.

Chicago / Turabian - Author Date Citation (style guide)

Lineberry, Cate. 2017. Be Free or Die: The Amazing Story of Robert Smalls' Escape From Slavery to Union Hero. New York, NY, St. Martin's Press.

Chicago / Turabian - Humanities Citation (style guide)

Lineberry, Cate, Be Free or Die: The Amazing Story of Robert Smalls' Escape From Slavery to Union Hero. New York, NY, St. Martin's Press, 2017.

MLA Citation (style guide)

Lineberry, Cate. Be Free or Die: The Amazing Story of Robert Smalls' Escape From Slavery to Union Hero. First edition. New York, NY, St. Martin's Press, 2017.

Note! Citation formats are based on standards as of July 2022. Citations contain only title, author, edition, publisher, and year published. Citations should be used as a guideline and should be double checked for accuracy.
Staff View
Grouped Work ID:
632b8aa2-74a3-3971-ea2b-0e473a79d60f
Go To GroupedWork

Record Information

Last Sierra Extract TimeMar 15, 2024 07:43:41 PM
Last File Modification TimeMar 15, 2024 07:44:05 PM
Last Grouped Work Modification TimeMar 28, 2024 02:11:39 AM

MARC Record

LEADER02252cam 2200505 i 4500
001ocn983799054
003OCoLC
00520180502155558.0
008170420t20172017nyuabf   b    001 0beng  
010 |a 2017004245
020 |a 9781250101860
020 |a 1250101867
040 |a DLC|b eng|e rda|c DLC|d OCLCO|d GK8|d OCLCF|d FEM|d JAI|d IEB|d IUK
043 |a n-us---|a n-us-sc
049 |a JRSA
05000|a E185.97.S6|b L56 2017
08200|a 973.8092|a B|2 23
099 |a 973.7 S635zL 2017
1001 |a Lineberry, Cate,|e author.
24510|a Be free or die :|b the amazing story of Robert Smalls' escape from slavery to Union hero /|c Cate Lineberry.
250 |a First edition.
264 1|a New York, NY :|b St. Martin's Press,|c 2017.
264 4|c ©2017.
300 |a xiii, 272 pages. 16 unnumbered pages of plates :|b illustrations, map ;|c 22 cm
336 |a text|b txt|2 rdacontent
337 |a unmediated|b n|2 rdamedia
338 |a volume|b nc|2 rdacarrier
504 |a Includes bibliographical references (p. 237-263) and index.
5050 |a The escape -- South Carolina's son -- In the service of the Confederacy -- Union hero -- Our country calls -- North and south -- The Keokuk -- Captain Smalls -- The City of Brotherly Love -- Triumph and tragedy -- Retaliation and reward -- Epilogue.
60010|a Smalls, Robert,|d 1839-1915.
61020|a Planter (Steamship)
61010|a United States.|b Congress.|b House|v Biography.
650 0|a African Americans|v Biography.
650 0|a Ship captains|z United States|v Biography.
650 0|a African American legislators|v Biography.
650 0|a Fugitive slaves|z South Carolina|z Beaufort|v Biography.
651 0|a United States|x History|y Civil War, 1861-1865|x Participation, African American.
651 0|a Beaufort (S.C.)|v Biography.
655 7|a Biographies.|2 lcgft
907 |a .b24886890
945 |y .i78085949|i 33029105380802|l faiag|s -|k |u 6|x 1|w 0|v 10|t 3|z 05-11-18|o -
945 |y .i78367347|i 33029105398382|l ranag|s -|k |u 6|x 0|w 1|v 1|t 3|z 06-01-18|o -
945 |y .i78533053|i 33029105349625|l nntag|s -|k |u 4|x 0|w 0|v 0|t 3|z 06-12-18|o -
945 |y .i78706762|i 33029105364012|l galag|s -|k |u 4|x 1|w 0|v 4|t 3|z 06-20-18|o -
998 |e -|d a |f eng|a fai|a gal|a nnt|a ran