60. Britain's Most Famous Slave

In 'Tacky's Revolt: The Story of an Atlantic Slave War', Vincent Brown provides a comprehensive and nuanced history of the 1760-1761 slave revolt in Jamaica. The book frames the revolt not just as a local insurrection but as part of a larger global conflict, including wars on the African continent, the Seven Years’ War, and internal struggles among enslaved people. Brown’s work highlights the African military roots of the enslaved leaders and how their experiences shaped their resistance against slavery. The book also explores the 'martial geography' of Atlantic slavery, demonstrating how warfare influenced every aspect of bondage and how enslaved people formed alliances and strategies based on their prior experiences in Africa and the Americas.

In this autobiography, Olaudah Equiano recounts his life from being kidnapped in Africa to becoming a free man in Britain. The narrative explores themes of slavery, cultural identity, and spiritual transformation, playing a significant role in shaping public opinion against the slave trade. Equiano's work is considered foundational in the genre of slave narratives.