First to Fall

Elijah Lovejoy and the Fight for a Free Press in the Age of Slavery

By: Ken Ellingwood

Narrated by: Alex Boyles

Length: 12 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

A vividly told tale of a forgotten American hero - an impassioned newsman who fought for the right to speak out against slavery.

The history of the fight for free press has never been more vital in our own time, when journalists are targeted as “enemies of the people.” In this brilliant and rigorously researched history, award-winning journalist and author Ken Ellingwood animates the life and times of abolitionist newspaper editor Elijah Lovejoy.

First to Fall illuminates this flawed yet heroic figure who made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting for free press rights in a time when the First Amendment offered little protection for those who dared to critique America’s “peculiar institution.”

Culminating in Lovejoy’s dramatic clashes with the pro-slavery mob in Alton, Illinois - who were destroying printing press after printing press - First to Fall will bring Lovejoy, his supporters and his enemies to life during the raucous 1830s at the edge of slave country. It was a bloody period of innovation, conflict, violent politics, and painful soul-searching over pivotal issues of morality and justice.

In the tradition of books like The Arc of Justice, First to Fall elevates a compelling, socially urgent narrative that has never received the attention it deserves. The book will aim to do no less than rescue Lovejoy from the footnotes of history and restore him as a martyr whose death was not only a catalyst for widespread abolitionist action, but also inaugurated the movement toward the free press protections we cherish so dearly today.

©2021 by Ken Ellingwood (P)2021 by Blackstone Publishing

Perpetrators, accomplices and bystanders in a small southern town.

This illuminating history highlights just how far Illinois extended into the slave holding South, and how powerful a role maintaining prosperity or even just a job can be as a force of evil. But it’s real power lies in its portrayal of the overwhelming weight of the daily threat of violence, even violent death, that too often hangs over people of good will, their spouses and even their children.

Interesting History

The narration of this book was exceptional and the story very interesting.
A HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AUDIOBOOK!

An Example of Courage to be Imitated

“History doesn’t repeat itself but it often rhymes.” Often attributed to Mark Twain, thus aphorism is continues to prove true. Ken Ellingwood’s excellent biography of Presbyterian minister and journalist Elijah Lovejoy, “First to Fall” is the tragic account of the desperate attempts to silence Lovejoy and his newspapers because of his views on the abolition of slavery. As I read of political skullduggery by some and political cowardice by others, I was constantly reminded that the same tactics are being used today to silence those who dare to disagree openly with the prevailing opinion put forth by the ruling class. 

In Lovejoy’s day it was local politicians and businessmen who stirred up mobs to violence. The only difference today is the breadth of the opposition via social media, and national government. The mobs are still willing tools of those who cannot countenance disagreement.

Elijah Lovejoy gave his life because he wouldn’t be cowed by the mob. He was the first to fall, but we haven’t witnessed the last. Stirring book!

Excellent

This is an excellent piece of history about my home state of Illinois. I would have never guessed that so much bias was in my home state.

exceptional and very informative...

I live in the Alton Illinois area and I found the information and detail of this book fascinating. the names and landmarks mentioned describe the rich history of the area...a shame that so much of the racial ugliness that he faced and ultimately murdered him still exists today.