Scorpion's Sting

The book offers a fresh perspective on antislavery strategies leading up to the Civil War, using the powerful imagery of a scorpion stinging itself amid flames. This metaphor reflects the peaceful abolition approach of surrounding slave states with freedom to create a social crisis that would ultimately lead to the demise of slavery. The author, a distinguished historian, delves into the complexities of this strategy and its implications for the historical context of the era.