Kenny's illuminating study examines the differing ideas of freedom held by white evangelical abolitionists and freed people in Jamaica and explores the consequences of their encounter for both American and Jamaican history. He shows how liberated slaves were able to resist the imposition of white mores and to redefine the terms of the encounter.

Examines the differing ideas of freedom held by white evangelical abolitionists and freed people in Jamaica, and explores the consequences of their encounter for both American and Jamaican history. The book makes creative use of available sources to unpack assumptions on both sides of this American-Jamaican interaction.