36 pages • 1 hour read
Jill LeporeNew York Burning: Liberty, Slavery, and Conspiracy in Eighteenth-Century Manhattan
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2005A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In New York Burning, Jill Lepore explores the 1741 conspiracy in Manhattan, where a series of fires led to widespread hysteria and accusations of a slave revolt. The investigation, driven by Supreme Court Justice Daniel Horsmanden, resulted in numerous executions of Black individuals and a few white New Yorkers based on questionable evidence and coerced confessions, revealing deep-rooted racial tensions and injustice in 18th-century New York. Topics include slavery, executions, and racially charged violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
New York Burning by Jill Lepore delivers an engaging narrative on the 1741 slave conspiracy in New York, praised for its thorough research and vivid storytelling. While the book is lauded for its historical depth and accessibility, some critics note that its speculative elements and dense academic detail may not appeal to all readers.
Who Should Read New York Burning?
A reader who enjoys New York Burning by Jill Lepore is likely interested in colonial American history, African American studies, and social justice. They might also appreciate books like The Hemingses of Monticello by Annette Gordon-Reed or The New York Conspiracy Trials of 1741 by Peter Charles Hoffer.