"The first edition of Leslie Harris's book was pathbreaking in arguing for the centrality of African Americans' contributions to the formation of New York City, including the slave labor that helped build it. From the first Dutch settlement up to the Civil War Draft Riots, Harris captures in rich detail how Black New Yorkers fought racist laws and practices, argued for better working and living conditions, and advocated for abolition. Her narrative of community formation encompasses people of all classes and professions, from ministers and businessmen to chimney sweeps and stevedores. Today, her depiction of Black New Yorkers' strivings is vital for understanding resistance and solidarity against today's oppressions"--

Leslie M. Harris is an professor of history at Northwestern University.