Raising Holy Hell: A Novel

Raising Holy Hell is unique. Bruce Olds tells John Brown's story from every direction. Quotations, mythology, folk tales, court transcripts, lists, poetry, diary entries, letters, interviews, Bible quotes, historical data, advice, agreements, and the perspectives of stepmother, father, first wife, second wife, eldest son, younger sons, daughters, neighbors, friends, Frederick Douglass, past Presidents, all piece together to tell not only the tale of Harper's Ferry, but of the biography of John Brown, the man. Perfect for someone with a short span of attention!

A ground-breaking literary effort, Olds creates a fictional biography of John Brown. Using traditional prose, free verse and other variations on technique, he brings Brown to life as what he was: a devout and frightening man devoting his life and family to ending slavery.
I've read Cloudsplitter by Russell Banks, also about John Brown. Old's work is perhaps a third as long, but with at least the same impact. I skimmed parts of Cloudsplitter, but not Raising Holy Hell.

I was made to read this for a History class in college but vastly enjoyed the book.