Revolution by Fire: New York's Afro-Irish Uprising of 1741, a Graphic Novel

In 2024, Beacon Press released Revolution by Fire: New York's Afro-Irish Uprising of 1741, a single-issue graphic novel that reexamines a largely overlooked colonial rebellion. Written and illustrated by a team of historians and artists, the book uses archival research to dramatize the complex alliance between enslaved Africans and Irish indentured servants who were accused of plotting to burn down New York City. This work matters for bringing a nuanced, grassroots perspective to a pivotal moment in American history, challenging traditional narratives of resistance and solidarity in the pre-Revolutionary era.