So hearing the soft intonation of Ethan Hawke’s wild-eyed, scraggly haired John Brown - looking exactly like a man about to arrive at the literal end of his rope - speak so sincerely about the country that put him there is a striking starting point for “ The Good Lord Bird,” a limited series based on James McBride’s 2013 novel that reminds audiences what a bonafide patriot looks like, sounds like, and, most importantly, acts like. Patriotism means supporting and defending a country from those working to destroy its ideals, but so often is the word co-opted to encourage blind loyalty - to leaders, to the flag, to symbols rather than principles - that it’s not so easy to go around touting American patriotism. After all, America again finds itself in need of, and perhaps already in the midst of, a revolution, and those fighting the good fight are fed up with idly watching the United States live down to the selfish interests of its controlling party, rather than live up to its full potential.

Is both a rousing adventure and a moving exploration of identity and survival.There’s something about a man, about to be hanged for treason, using his final words to proclaim, “What a beautiful country,” that speaks so well to the conflicted sense of present-day patriotism.

An absorbing mixture of history and imagination, and told with McBride's meticulous eye for detail and character, Eventually Brown sweeps him into the historic raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859-one of the great catalysts for the Civil War. Over the ensuing months, Henry, whom Brown nicknames Little Onion, conceals his true identity to stay alive. When an argument between Brown and Henry's master turns violent, Henry is forced to leave town-along with Brown, who believes Henry to be a girl and his good luck charm.

Henry Shackleford is a young slave living in the Kansas Territory in 1856-a battleground between anti- and pro-slavery forces-when legendary abolitionist John Brown arrives. Winner of the National Book Award for FictionĬomes the story of a young boy born a slave who joins John Brown’s antislavery crusade-and who must pass as a girl to survive. Now a Showtime limited series starring Ethan Hawke and Daveed Diggs

The good lord bird by james mcbride