The Great Virginia Raid is the story of John Brown's attempt to seize the United States arsenal at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, and free the slaves living in the vicinity. Ten of Brown's men were killed, Brown himself was arrested, put on trial, found guilty, and was executed. The events occupied a pivotal point in the history of the United States when slavery was readily acceptable by the South. Slavery was about to be overthrown, and the study of John Brown's actions was classic. In this new book about John Brown, much emphasis was placed upon contemporary newspaper accounts and material obtained from various historical societies and museums.