This gripping, fast-paced book tells the dramatic story of the epic 1839 voyage of the schooner Amistad and her cargo of Africans bound for slavery in the New World. Under the leadership of Cingue, a young African farmer, the Africans revolt and seize the ship. They start for home, but instead of reaching Africa, they land in New England. The story of these events and the resulting trial of the captured Africans was front-page news at the time. Were they rebellious slaves and muti neers--"property" that must rightfully be returned to its owners--or honest men and women trying to regain their freedom?