The story of the "Black Boys," a rebellion on the American frontier in 1765 that sparked the American Revolution. Drawing on largely forgotten manuscript sources from archives across North America, Spero recasts the familiar narrative of the American Revolution to reveal how the West played a crucial role in igniting the flame of American independence.

Preface: the crisis of empire -- Setting the stage -- The mission --The convoy departs -- The attack -- Transformation -- Crisis -- Independence -- The elusive peace -- Disintegration -- Imperial failure -- Revolution -- Epilogue: legacies.