Simon Schama talked about his book Rough Crossings: Britain, the Slaves and the American Revolution, published by Ecco. He described the impact of slavery on both the United States and Britain during the American Revolution. He explained that British officers promised escaped slaves complete freedom and put them on ships to Nova Scotia and later to Sierra Leone in West Africa. He said this was the first mass emancipation of slaves in the Americas. After his presentation his responded to audience members' questions.