Review of Am I Not a Man?

Post by **Nati Jiniya** » 04 Mar 2025, 08:57

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Am I Not a Man?" by Mark L. Shurtleff.]

5 out of 5 stars

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Am I Not a Man?: The Dredd Scott Story by Mark L. Shurtleff is based on the Scott family's factual path towards freedom from slavery. Being born Black, Dredd was a slave, but through God, he never lost hope for his free future. Although he was treated well by his owners, he lost his brother to slavery and since then started looking for justice. He was sold several times to different owners, and his partner was taken away, but he never lost hope for the better. As it is said, God gives his children the most difficult paths they can undertake, but in doing so, he also sends us his strongest believers as partners, helping us overcome the obstacles. The same was the case with Dredd. He was beaten, threatened, and sometimes even felt hopeless, but he found the people worth fighting for and did so with dignity. The story is not easy on the readers. The plot is mostly based on facts and trials, but the author's interpretation is also present and complements them.

There was a lot to love about the book. Firstly, I loved the chronology chapter, which made the events clear and consistent. Almost every chapter is accompanied by a matching epigraph and a photo, functioning as a preface. The author investigated this case in depth and provided background and a procession for almost every rule and important event about racism. He often discussed previous presidents and their concerns, outlooks, and lifestyles. It was very interesting and added a touch of realism and value to the book. Also, Mark didn't rush into uncovering what turned out to be Dredd's dark and mysterious past; therefore, the book was full of plot twists and intrigue. The longer I read, the more interesting it got. Mark did a great job at expressing the characters' emotions vividly and intensely, drawing us live pictures. I enjoyed sharing their friendships, faith, love, joy, trust, and even betrayals when they occurred. Additionally, for books this long, longer chapters are frequent, but the ones in this book were the perfect length, delivering valuable information and not boring the readers. Lastly, the book was exceptionally well-edited, as I found almost no errors.

I'd like to make one remark. Despite their easy navigation through links, it would've been helpful if the table of contents were numbered.

Overall, the story was very interesting, detailed, and consistent. I loved the author's masterful writing style. I rate the book 5 out of 5 stars, as it is well-developed and free from downsides.

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Am I Not a Man?
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Post by **Shaniz Tobiaz** » 13 Mar 2025, 03:27

I love this book, Dredd is a true testimony that God is alive and he remembers his people. This reminds me of the story of Job in the bible. This a must read for me.

Post by **Kutloano Makhuvhela** » 15 Mar 2025, 06:34

Good review. I don't think I will read this book as I don't think I have big heart for it. Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts with us.

Yasmine Zaki Muhieddine · Post by **Yasmine Zaki Muhieddine** » 17 Mar 2025, 02:34

The book is interesting. The author wanted to make sure that the reader can learn from it and made it easy by adding the chronology chapter, epigraphs and photos. Based on this review, I believe it is a good read.

Mark Lazarus · Post by **Mark Lazarus** » 26 Mar 2025, 14:00

Stories that dive into historical struggles for justice, especially those based on real events, can be incredibly powerful. The resilience and determination shown in a fight for freedom like this one are inspiring. I appreciate how well-researched and immersive it seems, making it a valuable read for anyone interested in understanding the deeper layers of American history. I’d definitely consider picking it up.