Hunting Jimmie Joe

MWSA Review

David Michaelson has captured the true spirit of life in these United States in the 1830's in his book Chasing Jimmy Joe. This is an interesting story that should be enjoyed by all. David takes a true historical event, a slave rebellion, led by Nat Turner, and weaves a tale about a Virginia constable who leaves his home to pursue an escaped slave whom he believes is involved in the murder of his sister and his family.

This pursuit takes him across a number of states and into the Indian Territories, and soon has him questioning the moral issues of slavery along with the possibility that the man he is chasing is innocent. During his journey, he befriends an Indian couple who travel with him for awhile, exposing him to a culture he has never known. I recommend this book.

Reviewed by:Bob Doerr(2015)

Author's Summary

After Constable Burns' sister and her immediate family were massacred during the most ruthless slave rebellion in America's history, Ezra sets out on an extended hunt for Jimmy Joe, his sister's runaway houseman, a clever slave who can read and write. Through harrowing escapades during the harsh winter of 1831-1832, Ezra tries desperately to locate the whereabouts of the man he suspects of murder.