I decided to review The Fires of Jubilee by Stephen B. Oates for analysis of my book. I was very hesitant to do my own analysis on this piece because I have so many different opinions and views on this book. With so many opinions, however, this was the best book for me to write 4 pages on. It was extremely easy for me to read Fires of Jubilee and really get into the text, because growing up my mother always told slave stories and old slave stories passed down from my previous generations. Being of split heritage, I always get 2 different perspectives and stories told to me and my brother by our great grandparents, so reading this explained so much more of Nat Turner's story than I had previously been told when I was younger. Part One of The Fires of Jubilee “This Infernal Spirit Of Slavery” was in fact the most important section of the book. Part One begins by explaining Nat's youth (early 1800s) detailing how slave children and white children had no racial boundaries and could play freely on the plantation. “He lived in the innocent season of his life, in those carefree years before the working age of twelve, when a slave boy could let loose and run around the plantation with uninhibited joy.” (Oats, 7). This section of the novel, much like the second, tells flashbacks and provides memories of previous years and jumps around the timeline before truly emphasizing Nat Turner's growth. The author continues in the first part by providing more information on the Turners, owners of the plantation and introduces the recurring theme of religion. “The Turners became prominent churchmen in their community and did all they could to spread the faith” (Oates, 9). Religion has been a major factor in Southampton County in... half the events... of the paper, but it has thrown me off a few times forcing me to go back and reread some pages. I feel that Stephen B. Oates did a great job of capturing Nat Turner and providing insight to readers. Another great feature of the book was how Oates was able to capture the religious beliefs of the slaves, Nat talked about God speaking to him and the Holy Spirit giving him symbols and signs of the approaching day of judgment. Oates got it right by alluding to the Bible to give a sense of credibility to the signs that God apparently showed to Nat, in the Bible we are told that God shows us signs of communication using the Sun and Moon. The changing of the color of the moon to a blood-red color and the complete darkening of the sun are told as the Day of Judgment or the Rapture. In conclusion, I thought the book was overall great in providing deeper insight into the evolution of slavery.