Provo, UTAm I Not a Man? The Dred Scott Story by Utah Attorney General Mark L. Shurtleff
Am I Not a Man? The Dred Scott Story
by Mark L. Shurtleff
Release Date: 3 November 2009 – In Stock Now for immediate delivery
Price: $24.95
Publisher: Valor Publishing Group, LLC (November 3, 2009)
Fiction: Historical Novel
Binding: Hardbound
Pages: 534
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1-935546-00-9
Product Dimensions: 6.25 x 9.25 inches
Click here to order
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.
Read the first two chapters of Am I Not a Man? The Dred Scott Story by Mark L. Shurtleff.
Learn more about Dred & Harriet Scott at the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation
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.
3 Responses to “Am I Not a Man? The Dred Scott Story by Utah Attorney General Mark L. Shurtleff”
Comment from Candace E. Salima
Time 10/22/2009 at 8:48 AM
Dred Scott played such an integral part of American history and I do not think he is nearly well enough known amongst Americans today. Sure, if you graduated law school you know who he is. The U.S. Supreme Court decision handed down a death knell of freedom for all Americans was a travesty of justice rarely equaled in this nation.
Utah State Attorney General Mark L. Shurtleff brings forth a literary triumph in his debut as an historical novelist. Born a slave and treated like an animal, Dred Scott rose up against the oppression of his masters and demanded to be treated like a man. His fight for freedom led to Abraham Lincoln’s election as president of the United States and inspired the Emancipation Proclamation.
Despite tragic setbacks, Dred’s unwillingness to give up his claim on human rights and judicial equality shaped America as it is today. His courageous life story is worthy of praise and recognition.
Author Mark L. Shurtleff spotlights Dred Scott in this engaging historical novel based on fact, “Am I Not a Man? The Dred Scott Story”. With a powerful storyline and compelling characters, this story of adventure, courage, love, hatred, and friendship parallels the history of the American nation-from the long night of slavery to the narrow crack of dawn that would ultimately lead to the freedom and equality of all men.
Shurtleff has masterfully woven a tale that draws readers deep into the life and times of Dred Scott, breathing life into Dred’s story and making it leap off the page. This book encourages readers to stand up for what they believe, fight for their rights and freedoms, and to never give up.
“Am I Not a Man? The Dred Scott Story” is a must-buy for every home, school and public library.
Comment from Donnie
Time 10/22/2009 at 11:55 AM
I agree the Author Mark Shurtleff has written a great biography on a Man who made it possible for the US the have a President of Color. What a remarkable man he must have been. To have suffered all that he did. To be told by the highest court of the Country he was not a man.
I pray I would have stood by his side as so many did to help fight.
Donnie Morris
Comment from Tristi Pinkston
Time 10/21/2009 at 7:08 PM
This is an amazing book – well written, masterful, and uplifting while also eye-opening.