This book unearths the largely forgotten history of white indentured servants and convicts enslaved in Britain's American colonies.

Drawing on extensive archival research, including letters, diaries, and official records, Don Jordan and Michael Walsh reveal the harsh realities faced by over 300,000 Britons transported to America between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. These individuals, ranging from street urchins to convicts, endured conditions of extreme brutality, including forced labor with short life expectancies, being bought and sold, and even gambled away. The authors argue that the cruelties typically associated solely with black slavery were also inflicted upon white populations throughout the colonial period, challenging conventional historical narratives.

The book brings to light a suppressed aspect of colonial history, focusing on the brutal experiences of white indentured servants and convicts. It challenges readers to reconsider the singular focus on black slavery by demonstrating the widespread nature of white enslavement. The research draws on a variety of primary sources to reconstruct this uncomfortable narrative. The work aims to surface a significant, yet largely overlooked, saga of cruelty and exploitation spanning over 170 years of Anglo-American history.