“Provides a thorough overview of the significant role played by Oberlin in abolition and antislavery.” — Journal of American History
“Morris provides an insightful analysis of a college and community at the vanguard of abolition...Scholars and students of American history, antebellum reform, and Ohio history will enjoy Morris’s energetic prose and engaging work.” — American Historical Review
“A necessary and refreshing departure from the standard story of abolitionism.” — The Journal of Southern History
“Will invariably interest those eager to understand the historical relationship between the liberal arts and social activism.” — History of Education Quarterly
“An engaging and well-written narrative. . . . Anyone with an interest in the history of Oberlin, higher education, the abolitionist movement, and researching these topics, should seriously consider adding Oberlin: Hotbed of Abolitionism to their library.” — Journal of African American History
“Beautifully and clearly written, and makes for an enjoyable read for readers of this journal who seek a focused history of the Midwest’s relevance to national politics and activism.” — Middle West Review
“Oberlin, Hotbed of Abolitionism is a superbly conceptualized and deeply researched book that makes an important contribution to abolition studies, utopian studies, and studies of antebellum reform. It is the first book to explore in detail Oberlin’s role in ending slavery and obtaining social equality. More than any other study, it highlights the role of western reserve abolition societies in precipitating war and ending slavery.” — John Stauffer, Harvard University
“This book stands as a very well-written, tightly focused, and deeply ramifying history. J. Brent Morris narrates Oberlin’s long-term importance in the struggle to end slavery and racial injustice during the nineteenth century. Illuminating the national importance of what we often think of as a highly local story, it is an important piece of scholarship and a very enjoyable read.” — Richard S. Newman, Rochester Institute of Technology
