26 Years a Slave represents the inaugural book-length study of the little-known “Spanish Negroes,” or non-white Spanish-speaking sailors enslaved in colonial North America. Bringing to light their history of slavery and resistance, the book tells the incredible story of the free-born Juan Miranda. Enslaved in New York, Miranda fights an arduous legal battle to win his freedom. His attorney, William Kempe, makes a strong case for his rights and against slavery based on skin color. This well-illustrated account touches on legal history, the War of Jenkins’ Ear, and the so-called “Slave Plot” of 1741.
26 Years a Slave is not just a translation of the critically acclaimed publication 26 años de esclavitud but a revised enriched version, containing a selection of additional study cases.
The original Spanish edition of this book received the following awards:
Willi Paul Adams Award , Organization of American Historians , Bloomington, Indiana, USA (2023)
Best Academic Themed Book , The 24th International Latino Book Awards , Gold medal, Los Angeles, USA (2022)
The Victor Villaseñor Best Latino Focused Nonfiction Book Award – Spanish or Bilingual , The 24th International Latino Book Awards , Silver medal, Los Angeles, USA (2022)
Best Biography – Spanish or Bilingual , The 24th International Latino Book Awards , Silver medal, Los Angeles, USA (2022)
