Be Free or Die: The Amazing Story of Robert Smalls' Escape from Slavery to Union Hero

“Reading Cate Lineberry’s Be Free or Die is a little like recovering a national heirloom that was lost, stolen or buried through decades . . . maintains a tautly rendered perspective on the complex social dynamics of Civil War-era race relations . . . ”—USA Today

“A neat piece of narrative history, told with exceptional brio. It flows with energy and bravado. Thanks to Lineberry for reminding us of the existence of such people as Smalls.”—The Christian Science Monitor

“In writing Be Free or Die, journalist Cate Lineberry has done readers and history a good turn by chronicling the life of a man who led one of the most daring escapes from American slavery during the Civil War.”—Dallas Morning News

"An excellent read . . . provides fascinating insight into a little-known heroic incident of the Civil War and into race relationships in the Reconstruction South."—Bowling Green Daily News

"A stunning tale of a little-known figure in history. Robert Smalls' astounding heroism during the Civil War helped convince Lincoln and the country that African Americans were extraordinarily capable of fighting for their freedom. Lineberry has produced a triumph in this heroic story that illuminates our country's ongoing struggles with race."—Henry Louis Gates, Jr, Professor of American History at Harvard University, and Executive Producer of Finding Your Roots

“One of the great tales of heroism to come out of the Civil War now has the book it deserves. Be Free or Diebrings us for the first time a complete picture of Robert Smalls, the slave who stole a Confederate ship, liberated his family and friends, and went on to be a member of Congress. Thank you, Cate Lineberry, for telling so well the extraordinary story of this extraordinary man.”—Christopher Dickey, New York Times bestselling author of Our Man in Charleston: Britain’s Secret Agent in the Civil War South

“Robert Smalls’ daring, determined effort to free himself and his family from slavery stands as a thrilling representative of the thousands of unknown acts of self-liberation performed by slaves during the war. In Be Free or Die, Cate Lineberry brings to life the exciting story of this modest man whose dash for freedom under the guns of Charleston harbor led to service in the union navy, a successful business career, and election to the US House of Representatives.”—Jamie Malanowski, author of Commander Will Cushing: Daredevil Hero of the Civil War and lead writer of the New York Times’s award-winning “Disunion” series

"Lineberry ably provides context for Smalls' saga: slavery's horrors, the story of blacks in the Union fighting force."—Booklist

"A valuable narrative history that will benefit readers interested in African-American, Civil War, or naval history."—Library Journal

"Succinct and powerful prose . . . Lineberry elevates Smalls to America's pantheon of black leaders, showing him to have been as courageous and inspirational as Harriet Tubman . . . and Booker T. Washington."—Publishers Weekly