American Uprising
In January 1811, five hundred slaves, dressed in military uniforms and armed with guns, cane knives, and axes, rose up from the plantations around New Orleans and set out to conquer the city. American Uprising is the riveting and long-neglected story of this elaborate plot, the rebel army's dramatic march on the city, and its shocking conclusion. It offers a window into the young, expansionist country, illuminating the early history of New Orleans and providing new insight into the path to the Civil War and the slave revolutionaries who fought and died for justice and the hope of freedom.
Praise for American Uprising
“A chilling and suspenseful account [of] the culmination of a signal episode in the history of American race relations.”
— Adam Goodheart, The New York Times Book Review
“A crisp, confident writer, Rasmussen tells this story with verve.”
— John Stauffer, The Wall Street Journal
“An important book. . .This tale deserves to be much better known, as does the larger story of slave resistance. American Uprising represents a signal achievement.”
“American Uprising offers a detailed, fascinating glimpse into a previously ignored part of history.”
— The Fort Worth Star-Telegram
“Daniel Rasmussen has performed an important service for American history. American Uprising challenges much of what we think we know about American slavery.”
— The St. Louis American