Rough Crossings

Britain, the Slaves and the American Revolution

Simon Schama, CBE

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English

Vintage
15 June 2009

History; General & world history; History of the Americas; Early modern history: c 1450 to c 1700; Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900; Colonialism & imperialism; Slavery & abolition of slavery; American War of Independence

The astonishing story of the struggle to freedom by thousands of African-American slaves in the American War of Independence

Rough Crossings is the astonishing story of the struggle to freedom by thousands of African-American slaves who fled the plantations to fight behind British lines in the American War of Independence. With gripping, powerfully vivid story-telling, Simon Schama follows the escaped blacks into the fires of the war, and into freezing, inhospitable Nova Scotia where many who had served the Crown were betrayed in their promises to receive land at the war's end. Their fate became entwined with British abolitionists- inspirational figures such as Granville Sharp, the flute-playing father-figure of slave freedom, and John Clarkson, the 'Moses' of this great exodus, who accompanied the blacks on their final rough crossing to Africa, where they hoped that freedom would finally greet them.

By: Simon Schama CBE
Imprint: Vintage
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 196mm, Width: 125mm, Spine: 35mm
Weight: 374g
ISBN: 9780099536079
ISBN 10: 0099536072
Pages: 544
Publication Date: 15 June 2009
Recommended Age: From 0 years
Audience: Professional and scholarly , College/higher education , General/trade , Undergraduate , Primary
Format: Other merchandise
Publisher's Status: Active

Simon Schama is University Professor of Art History and History at Columbia University in New York. Since 1995 he has been art and culture critic for The New Yorker and essayist for The Guardian. His award-winning books include The Embarrassment of Riches: An Interpreatation of Dutch Culture in the Golden Age; Citizens; Rembrandt's Eyes and the History of Britain trilogy. His most recent book, SImon Schama's Power of Art, was published to critical acclaim in 2006.

Reviews for Rough Crossings: Britain, the Slaves and the American Revolution

This brilliant book by the leading historian of our times about a subject of great significance will delight professional historians and entrance the reading public. Rough Crossings succeeds in all respects. It is a 'tour de force' and a landmark in historical scholarship * Times Higher Education Supplement * Schama's gift for plunging us into the very centre of the action, whether in Charleston, London or on the African coast, makes reading an exhilarating experience * Daily Telegraph * Brilliant and deeply moving * Observer * Schama has a remarkable ability to stare into the anonymous faces in the crowd and to pluck them from historical obscurity. Rough Crossings gives voice to people who have, until now, remained mere names on duty lists -- James Walvin One only has to dip into Rough Crossings to appreciate the command of detail that lies behind his apparently effortless ability to come up with the right quotation or description * Times Literary Supplement *