About the book
Choice Outstanding Academic Title of 2016
Reveals the lived experience of slaves in eighteenth-century Boston
Instead of relying on the traditional dichotomy of slavery and freedom, Hardesty argues we should understand slavery in Boston as part of a continuum of unfreedom. In this context, African slavery existed alongside many other forms of oppression, including Native American slavery, indentured servitude, apprenticeship, and pauper apprenticeship. In this hierarchical and inherently unfree world, enslaved Bostonians were more concerned with their everyday treatment and honor than with emancipation, as they pushed for autonomy, protected their families and communities, and demanded a place in society.
Drawing on exhaustive research in colonial legal records – including wills, court documents, and minutes of governmental bodies – as well as newspapers, church records, and other contemporaneous sources, Hardesty masterfully reconstructs an eighteenth-century Atlantic world of unfreedom that stretched from Europe to Africa to America. By reassessing the lives of enslaved Bostonians as part of a social order structured by ties of dependence, Hardesty not only demonstrates how African slaves were able to decode their new homeland and shape the terms of their enslavement, but also tells the story of how marginalized peoples engrained themselves in the very fabric of colonial American society.
Editions of Unfreedom
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781479816149
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781479801848
Read an Excerpt
Choice Outstanding Academic Title of 2016
Reveals the lived experience of slaves in eighteenth-century Boston
Instead of relying on the traditional dichotomy of slavery and freedom, Hardesty argues we should understand slavery in Boston as part of a continuum of unfreedom. In this context, African slavery existed alongside many other forms of oppression, including Native American slavery, indentured servitude, apprenticeship, and pauper apprenticeship. In this hierarchical and inherently unfree world, enslaved Bostonians were more concerned with their everyday treatment and honor than with emancipation, as they pushed for autonomy, protected their families and communities, and demanded a place in society.
Drawing on exhaustive research in colonial legal records – including wills, court documents, and minutes of governmental bodies – as well as newspapers, church records, and other contemporaneous sources, Hardesty masterfully reconstructs an eighteenth-century Atlantic world of unfreedom that stretched from Europe to Africa to America. By reassessing the lives of enslaved Bostonians as part of a social order structured by ties of dependence, Hardesty not only demonstrates how African slaves were able to decode their new homeland and shape the terms of their enslavement, but also tells the story of how marginalized peoples engrained themselves in the very fabric of colonial American society.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Unfreedom about?
Choice Outstanding Academic Title of 2016
Reveals the lived experience of slaves in eighteenth-century Boston
Instead of relying on the traditional dichotomy of slavery and freedom, Hardesty argues we should understand slavery in Boston as part of a continuum of unfreedom. In this context, African slavery existed alongside many other forms of oppression, including Native American slavery, indentured servitude, apprenticeship, and pauper apprenticeship. In this hierarchical and inherently unfree world, enslaved Bostonians were more concerned with their everyday treatment and honor than with emancipation, as they pushed for autonomy, protected their families and communities, and demanded a place in society.
Drawing on exhaustive research in colonial legal records – including wills, court documents, and minutes of governmental bodies – as well as newspapers, church records, and other contemporaneous sources, Hardesty masterfully reconstructs an eighteenth-century Atlantic world of unfreedom that stretched from Europe to Africa to America. By reassessing the lives of enslaved Bostonians as part of a social order structured by ties of dependence, Hardesty not only demonstrates how African slaves were able to decode their new homeland and shape the terms of their enslavement, but also tells the story of how marginalized peoples engrained themselves in the very fabric of colonial American society.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Unfreedom?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of Unfreedom?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781479816149
How long is Unfreedom and how many pages does it have?
Unfreedom has 272 page(s)
Is Unfreedom part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Early American Places
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Unfreedom?
Jared Ross Hardesty
Who is the Publisher of the book Unfreedom?
NYU Press
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Unfreedom is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781479816149) and paperback(ISBN 9781479801848)
Where can I buy Unfreedom online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Unfreedom from below
Where can I buy Unfreedom?