
Be Free or Die
The Amazing Story of Robert Smalls' Escape from Slavery to Union Hero
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Narrated by:
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J. D. Jackson
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By:
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Cate Lineberry
Facing death rather than enslavement - a story of one man's triumphant choice and ultimate rise to national hero.
It was a mild May morning in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1862, the second year of the Civil War, when a 23-year-old slave named Robert Smalls did the unthinkable and boldly seized a Confederate steamer. With his wife and two young children hidden on board, Smalls and a small crew ran a gauntlet of heavily armed fortifications in Charleston Harbor and delivered the valuable vessel and the massive guns it carried to nearby Union forces.
To be unsuccessful was a death sentence for all. Smalls' courageous and ingenious act freed him and his family from slavery and immediately made him a Union hero while simultaneously challenging much of the country's view of what African-Americans were willing to do to gain their freedom.
After his escape, Smalls served in numerous naval campaigns off Charleston as a civilian boat pilot and eventually became the first Black captain of an Army ship. In a particularly poignant moment Smalls even bought the home that he and his mother had once served in as house slaves.
©2017 Cate Lineberry (P)2018 TantorListeners also enjoyed...




















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Great Book about a Great man
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History!!
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Great Listen
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Amazing man of amazing character, this should be made into a blockbuster movie!
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Extremely well done!
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I have come to know a compassionate and kind people, the Gullah and their culture. As an avid reader of history, I have thoroughly enjoyed the historical role of South Carolina's Charleston, Beaufort & the Sea Isalnds. What a treassure trove of historical gems!
But a pity, the whites could not rise to the gracious perspective, generous spirit and neighborly love exemplified by Robert Smalls with what the Scriptures taught.
Thank you for this history!
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The courage of Smalls and others at such a volatile.
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This is a true story of our history, which I have never heard of before!
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very good book
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While listening, I was at first put off a bit by the narrators' "imitations" of historic characters' quotations - I felt it was distracting and a bit hokey at first... the more I listened, the more I realized that the way this is executed is actually the best possible way to handle the numerous quotes.
This mans' story should absolutely be conveyed in the medium of film. What an epic life Smalls led, and what an impact he had.
I genuinely enjoyed learning about this inspiring man and the lives that intertwined with him. An awesome book, and well read. So grateful to Cate Lineberry for telling this tale, and illuminating me.
A Story That Needs To Be Heard...
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