Summary

Island on Fire: The Revolt That Ended Slavery in the British Empire by Tom Zoellner recounts Samuel Sharpe’s rebellion in Jamaica and how it led to the abolishment of slavery. The book delves into the structure of Jamaica’s system of slavery and the experiences of the enslaved. There’s an in-depth explanation of Jamaican society with regard to culture but there’s also the island’s economics. I find that as I read more history books, I’m taking a deeper interest in the economic history of different crops and products as well as explorations of how and why certain decisions were made. Island on Fire is an engrossing read that I highly recommend for the light it sheds on the early economic history of Jamaica.

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"Island on Fire" feature image based on book cover art which depicts orange and yellow fire illustration against a gray textured light gray background.

Island on Fire [Book Review]

Natasha

Natasha is a marketer by day and a voracious reader at all other times. She developed a passion for history and storytelling as a child and became increasingly interested in global Black nonfiction and literature as an adult.

Book Reviews

economics england jamaica slavery