by Simon Schama
First published 2006
Simon Schama examines a forgotten chapter of the American Revolution through the experiences of enslaved people who chose sides in the conflict. When Virginia's royal governor promised freedom to any slave who escaped rebel masters and joined British forces, tens of thousands of black Americans made a desperate bid for liberty. Schama traces their journey from Southern plantations to British military camps, through the chaos of war and the constant threat of recapture. The story continues beyond American independence as these freedom seekers faced betrayal and abandonment in Nova Scotia, ultimately leading to their resettlement in Sierra Leone. Through detailed research and compelling narrative, Schama reveals how a British military tactic became one of the largest population movements in early American history. The book illuminates the complex choices facing black Americans during the Revolution and exposes the harsh realities they encountered in their pursuit of the freedom that British rule seemed to promise.
Genres: history, biography-memoir, african-american-historical-fiction, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-fiction, social-issues
Setting: America, Nova Scotia, Sierra Leone, Southern Plantations, Virginia
Period: American Revolution, Early American History
496 pages · Hardcover · Ecco / HarperCollins
Content warnings: slavery, violence