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Peter’s War: A New England Slave Boy and the American Revolution

By Mason Spirit contributor on November 2, 2010


Peter’s War: A New England Slave Boy and the American Revolution

Joyce Lee Malcolm, Professor of Law

Peter’s War: A New England Slave Boy and the American Revolution (Yale University Press, December 2008) tells the story of a slave born in Massachusetts in 1763. Malcolm describes Peter’s life in rural New England, which became increasingly unhappy as he grew aware of racial differences and prejudices. When the American Revolution came to Peter’s town, he joined the Revolutionary Army at age 12. Malcolm relates how Peter and other blacks, slave and free, joined the war to achieve their own independence. Peter’s War illuminates many themes in American history: race relations in New England, the prelude to and military history of the Revolutionary War, and the varied experience of black soldiers from both sides.


2 Comments »

  1. thank you nice article

    Comment by Serra — May 16, 2011 @ 3:29 pm

  2. Peter’s War illuminates many themes in American history: race relations in New England, the prelude to and military history of the Revolutionary War, and the varied experience of black soldiers from both sides.

    Comment by Adoracion — October 24, 2011 @ 3:02 am

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