In 'Slavery', James Walvin unveils the complex and harrowing history of slavery, challenging readers to confront its profound impact on society. Through meticulous research, Walvin illustrates the human stories behind the statistics, giving voice to the anguish of those enslaved. The book delves into the economic, cultural, and moral implications of slavery, prompting readers to reflect on its persistent legacy. Walvin weaves together narratives that reveal the resilience of the human spirit amidst unimaginable suffering. A riveting exploration that compels us to question our understanding of freedom and justice in today's world.
By James Walvin
Published: 2018
""Slavery was not just a status; it was a complex tapestry of human experiences, woven from suffering, resilience, and a relentless quest for freedom.""
Western slavery goes back 10,000 years to Mesopotamia, today’s Iraq, where a male slave was worth an orchard of date palms. Female slaves were called on for sexual services, gaining freedom only when their masters died. This book traces slavery from classical times to the present. It shows how the enforced movement of more than 12 million Africans on to the Atlantic slave ships, and the scattering of more 11 million survivors across the colonies of the Americas between the late 16th and early 19th centuries, transformed the face of the Americas. Though they were not its pioneers, it was the British who came to dominate Atlantic slavery, helping to consolidate the country’s status as a world power before it became the first major country to abolish slavery. James Walvin explores the moral and economic issues slavery raises, examines how it worked and describes the lives of individual slaves, their resilience in the face of a brutal institution, and the depths to which white owners and their overseers could on occasion sink in their treatment of them.
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“"Slavery was not just a status; it was a complex tapestry of human experiences, woven from suffering, resilience, and a relentless quest for freedom."”
Slavery
By James Walvin
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
James Walvin is a distinguished British historian and author, renowned for his extensive research on the impact of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade on society. With a career spanning several decades, he has published notable works including 'Slavery in English History', 'A Very Short Introduction to Slavery', and 'The Black Presence in Britain'. Walvin's writing style is characterized by clear, accessible prose that engages both academic and general audiences, often weaving together historical narrative with personal stories.
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