Marcus Rediker

Now reading: @jwassers.bsky.social’s transnational study of young activists in Southeast Asia — Thailand, Hong Kong, and Burma. Happy to see Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal featured as one of the key figures in this moving story of courage, will, and hope.
globalreports.columbia.edu/books/the-mi...

Sat. Aug. 23, 7:00 pm: I'll talk about *Freedom Ship* with my friend Corey Walker in an event sponsored by the Middle Passages Ceremonies and Port Markers Project, in observance of the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. Join us!

mailchi.mp/ed90444ad555...

Photo of book: Freedom Ship by Marcus Rediker “The uncharted history of escaping slavery by sea”

Oops, one more I forgot, because I’m currently reading it (Freedom Ship, by @marcusrediker.bsky.social ). This is fascinating research of accounts of escaping slavery by ship, and the amount of people that helped, and how, gives me a lot of faith back in humanity.

Following in your footsteps!

Of course!

Now that *Freedom Ship* has been published, it’s time to get started on a new work of history. Any suggestions?

I was living in Philadelphia between 1976-1982 and saw some of those great fights in person. Also saw Hagler, Hearns, Duran, and others.

Fearless Benjamin: The Quaker Dwarf Who Fought Slavery A beautifully illustrated children's book on the life of Benjamin Lay, a courageous little person who stood tall against oppression.

Friends – if you donate $150 to PM Press as it publishes our children’s book, *Fearless Benjamin*, we will send you signed copies of that book, my biography of Lay, the play I wrote with Naomi Wallace, and the graphic novel I created with David Lester, 4 books!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ww3...

Donated.

Now reading, Teju Cole’s prize-winning *Open City: A Novel*, an especially good read for anyone who loves New York as the book recounts the narrator’s social and philosophical adventures as he walks around the city.

Truly. A champ in the time when the light heavyweight division was at its best.

The Atlantic is pacific this morning — and all dressed up with a pink horizon.

Photo of carving above the main entrance to Kilmainham Gaol, 1796, depicting a five headed hydra fighting its chains.

Very moving visit to Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin, particularly due to excellent young docent. So encouraging to witness passionate articulate delivery of troubled recent history, and receptive audience for human stories of the marginalized and disenfranchised. @marcusrediker.bsky.social #ManyHeadedHydra

Whenever I can see or hear this creature, I’m usually pretty happy.

😂😂😂

Now that’s more like it, the Atlantic as I know it.

David Lester, Paul Buhle, and I are in the later stages of finishing our new work, “The Black Schooner: Rebellion on the Amistad, A Graphic Novel,” to be published next year by Beacon Press. This will be our fourth graphic novel since 2021. Here is a sample of David’s brilliant art.

My great grandfather, Robert Robertson of Dunmor, KY, asked my great grand-mother Eva, “Do you reckon you could learn me how to read?” Eva replied, “Well, Bob, I reckon I could.” And she did. Ever after, he would only allow his picture to be taken while reading, in this case *Progressive Farmer*.

Get your copy of *Fearless Benjamin: The Quaker Dwarf who Fought Slavery*, a children’s book I co-wrote with Michelle Markel, gorgeously illustrated by Sarah Bachman, coming Oct. 14, 2025 from @PMPress. Get signed copies of my other books on Benjamin Lay too!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/ww3...

Than you, Mari. Hope you are well!

Fearless Benjamin: The Quaker Dwarf Who Fought Slavery A beautifully illustrated children's book on the life of Benjamin Lay, a courageous little person who stood tall against oppression.

Dear friends, please support @pmpress.bsky.social on Kickstarter as they prepare to publish our children's book, *Fearless Benjamin: The Quaker Dwarf Who Fought Slavery*. Get an early copy and a signed one! Other rewards also available.

www.kickstarter.com/projects/ww3...

The Atlantic is moody this morning.

Join us on October 4, 2025, SAT, 2:00 PM EST to discuss Freedom Ship: The Uncharted History of Escaping Slavery by Sea by the greatest @marcusrediker.bsky.social. Get the book here www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/566407... and REGISTER NOW here us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Great theme!

Congratulations, April!

Not yet, Mike. In December, I'm told.

My new book *Freedom Ship: The Uncharted History of Escaping Slavery by Sea*, is available for purchase at one third off the list price.

www.amazon.com/Freedom-Ship...

You know that I will be ordering this. Love Benjamin Lay who I was introduced to via Dr. Rediker's biography of him. Completely explodes the "X was of their time" bullshit. People know what's right and wrong in every era.

Reading the proofs of April Masten’s brilliant book, *Diamond and Juba: The Raucous World of 19th-Cenury Challenge Dancing*, coming from @illinoispress.bsky.social in Dec. 2025. Readers, get ready: this is a powerful book and an original one.

www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=c0...

Look forward to watching this!