This work investigates the historical phenomenon of marronage and the various forms of resistance employed by enslaved individuals across Africa and the Americas. Gad Heuman, a scholar specializing in the history of slavery and emancipation, synthesizes comparative historical data to analyze how runaways challenged the institution of bondage. The book argues that flight was not merely an act of escape but a deliberate political and social strategy that fundamentally undermined the stability of slave-holding societies. By examining diverse geographical contexts, the author provides a framework for understanding the agency of the enslaved in their pursuit of autonomy.

Historians and scholars of the Atlantic world frequently cite this text for its rigorous comparative methodology and its focus on the agency of the enslaved. The book is recognized as a significant contribution to the study of resistance, providing a clear and accessible overview for both students and academic researchers.