New Books in Critical Theory Marcus Rediker, "Freedom Ship: The Uncharted History of Escaping Slavery by Sea" (Penguin Group, 2025)
Sep 20, 2025
Marcus Rediker, a distinguished professor at the University of Pittsburgh and acclaimed author, delves into the riveting history of maritime escapes from slavery in his latest work, Freedom Ship. He reveals how up to 100,000 fugitives sought liberation at sea, sharing tales of whispered conspiracies and daring adventures. With insights from abolitionist narratives, Rediker discusses the vital networks and tactics used by escapees. He also connects historical resistance to present-day lessons on solidarity and resilience, highlighting the role of women and maritime unions.
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Sea As A Forgotten Frontier
- The maritime route was a major but overlooked mode of escape from slavery, visible in repeated runaway ads and dockside sightings.
- Marcus Rediker argues ships and ports formed a powerful, alternative frontier of freedom to the land-centered Underground Railroad.
Triangulate Historical Sources
- Use multiple source types—runaway ads, abolitionist testimonies, and court records—to reconstruct fugitive lives accurately.
- Treat each source with care because owners' ads and abolitionist edits can mislead the historian.
Running Away Was An Art
- Escape by sea required planning, local ecological knowledge, timing, and social intelligence rather than pure spontaneity.
- Rediker calls it an "art of escape" where success depended on reading people and networks at the docks.
