Christopher Tomlins on Nat Turner

In this episode, Christopher Tomlins, Elizabeth Josselyn Boalt Professor of Law at UC Berkeley School of Law, discusses his new book "In the Matter of Nat Turner: A Speculative History," which is published by Princeton University Press. Tomlins begins by explaining who Nat Turner was and what happened in the Turner Rebellion. He describes the documentary record of the event, and how it has been used by other novelists and historians. He argues for an alternative understanding of Turner's own theology and motivations, and explains why Turner and his rebellion were so troubling to the Virginia political order. He closes by reflecting on what thinking about Turner can tell us about doing history today.This episode was hosted by Brian L. Frye, Spears-Gilbert Associate Professor of Law at the University of Kentucky College of Law. Frye is on Twitter at @brianlfrye. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.