
Fire and Freedom
The American Revolution in New York
Three Hills (Publisher)
Published on 15. May 2026
Book
Hardback
192 pages
978-1-5017-8618-1 (ISBN)
Description
More than two hundred and fifty years after the revolution began, Fire and Freedom invites readers to rediscover America's journey to independence. Showcasing New York's central role in the revolution, Fire and Freedom highlights the stories of people and events previously hidden from popular view, unveiling a new vision of this famous narrative.
Many of the revolution's key moments can be traced to New York: city crowds rioted against colonial taxation and George Washington spent one-third of the war in and around the soon-to-be "Empire State." Beyond these well-known players and moments, however, lies a trove of new information on New York's hidden revolutionary stories.
With a foreword by acclaimed historian Russell Shorto and seven fascinating chapters on a range of subjects, we see that events off the battlefield-a strategic retreat, a destructive fire, and displays of independence-were just as meaningful as the fighting itself. State power and politics redefined conceptions of loyalty and allegiance. The resistance and agency of Indigenous and enslaved populations shaped New York's postwar era.
These diverse stories are tied together by the defining war, but they stretch far beyond its confines and even further beyond our common understandings. By providing a more comprehensive look into New York's influence on the era, the contributors to this book expand and evolve the meaning and significance of the revolution. Exciting and insightful, Fire and Freedom is a must-read addition to the great revolutionary saga.
Many of the revolution's key moments can be traced to New York: city crowds rioted against colonial taxation and George Washington spent one-third of the war in and around the soon-to-be "Empire State." Beyond these well-known players and moments, however, lies a trove of new information on New York's hidden revolutionary stories.
With a foreword by acclaimed historian Russell Shorto and seven fascinating chapters on a range of subjects, we see that events off the battlefield-a strategic retreat, a destructive fire, and displays of independence-were just as meaningful as the fighting itself. State power and politics redefined conceptions of loyalty and allegiance. The resistance and agency of Indigenous and enslaved populations shaped New York's postwar era.
These diverse stories are tied together by the defining war, but they stretch far beyond its confines and even further beyond our common understandings. By providing a more comprehensive look into New York's influence on the era, the contributors to this book expand and evolve the meaning and significance of the revolution. Exciting and insightful, Fire and Freedom is a must-read addition to the great revolutionary saga.
Reviews / Votes
"Fire and Freedom... showcases New York's central role in the revolution and highlights the stories of people and events previously hidden from popular view." - New York Almanack"Fire and Freedom is an excellent work." - Journal of the American Revolution
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Cornell University Press
Product notice
Paper over boards
Illustrations
17 b&w halftones, 2 charts - 17 Halftones, black and white - 2 Charts
Dimensions
Height: 162 mm
Width: 240 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
408 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5017-8618-1 (9781501786181)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Thomas S. Wermuth | Devin Lander | Jennifer Lemak
Fire and Freedom
The American Revolution in New York
E-Book
05/2026
Three Hills
€14.49
Available for download
Persons
Thomas S. Wermuth is Dr. Frank T. Bumpus Chair in Hudson River Valley History at Marist University.
Devin Lander is New York State Historian and coeditor of New York History.
Jennifer Lemak is Chief Curator of History at the New York State Museum and coeditor of New York History.
Robert Chiles is Senior Lecturer of History at the University of Maryland and coeditor of New York History.
Devin Lander is New York State Historian and coeditor of New York History.
Jennifer Lemak is Chief Curator of History at the New York State Museum and coeditor of New York History.
Robert Chiles is Senior Lecturer of History at the University of Maryland and coeditor of New York History.