Spotlight on Am I Not a Man? The Dred Scott Story by Mark Shurtleff
An illiterate slave, Dred Scott trusted in an all-white, slave-owning jury to declare him free. But after briefly experiencing the glory of freedom and manhood, a new state Supreme Court ordered the cold steel of the shackles to be closed again around his wrists and ankles. Falling to his knees, Dred cried, “Ain’t I a man?” Dred answered his own question by rising and taking his fight to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Dred ultimately lost his epic battle when the Chief Justice declared that a black man was so inferior that he had “no rights a white man was bound to respect.”
Dred died not knowing that his undying courage led directly to the election of President Abraham Lincoln and the emancipation proclamation.
Dred Scott’s inspiring and compelling true story of adventure, courage, love, hatred, and friendship parallels the history of this nation from the long night of slavery to the narrow crack in the door that would ultimately lead to freedom and equality for all men.
About Mark Shurtleff
Mark L. Shurtleff attended Brigham Young University, University of Utah College of Law and University of San Diego School of Law. He lived in Peru for two years, absorbing the culture and living amongst the Peruvian people.
Mark began his legal career by serving four years in the United States Navy Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG), then was a lawyer in Southern California.
Mark was a Deputy County Attorney and a Commissioner of Salt Lake County. He then became an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Utah. He was elected Attorney General in November 2000, and was re-elected in November 2004 and again in November 2008. He is the first Attorney General in Utah to win re-election for a third term.
Mark is married with five children. He is an Eagle Scout, fluent in Spanish and this is his first novel.
Email Mark
Mark’s Blog: Mark Shurtleff Blog
Mark’s Website: dredscottstory.com
Facebook: Mark’s Facebook Page
Twitter: Follow Mark on Twitter
Book: Am I Not a Man? The Dred Scott Story
Release Date: 3 November 2009
Read these three great reviews!
Historical, Spotlight, non-fiction | JMScribe January 17, 2010
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