No great historical subject is so laden with modern controversy or so obscured by myth and legend as the slave trade. Who were tbe slavers? How profitable was the business? Why did many African rulers and peoples collaborate? The strength of Hugh Thomas's book is that it begins with the first Portuguese slaving expeditions; before Columbus's voyage to the New World; and ends with the last gasp of the slave trade; long since made illegal elsewhere; in Cuba and Brazil twenty-five years after the American Emancipation Proclamation. His narrative is vividly alive with villains and heroes; and illuminated by eyewitness accounts; many of which are published here for the first time. Hugh Thomas gives the reader the facts about the slave trade - shows us how whole towns; like Bristol and Liverpool in England; Nantes in France; or Newport in Rhode Island; grew and prospered on slavery; how each new discovery and colonization spurred the demand for slave labor. He confronts the thorny subject of Jewish involvement in the slave trade; documents the fact that many of the New England whaling captains became successful slavers on the side; and tells the story of the rising tide of the antislavery movement; first against the trade and then against the institution of slavery itself. He describes the work of men such as Montesquieu in France; Wilberforce in England; and Anthony Benezet in the United States who finally succeeded in turning public opinion against slavery and making it illegal in Europe and the New World.
#908736 in Books Vintage 2000-01-04 2000-01-04Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .60 x 5.20l; .59 #File Name: 0679767320254 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Insightful book on the violations of Civil RightsBy Glenn D. RobinsonInsightful book that delves into the Federal violations of Civil Rights in time of war; specifically during the Lincoln Administration followed by the Wilson and Franklin Roosevelt Administrations. During the Lincoln Administration; there was a clamp down on the freedom of the press with many opposition news editors jailed; especially before the 1864 elections. Freedom of speech was curtailed as were many other freedoms. This book goes into the legal reasoning for and against these intrusions. Post Civil War chapters included violations of rights during WWI (Eugene Debs) and WWII (Internment of US Citizens of Japanese and Italian ancestry).The first part of the book is well written. The last few chapters appear to be written as after thoughts. Overall; however; a good book. Clear and concise. Good for Civil War and for legal readers.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I enjoyed it. I liked the included history that Justice ...By Mary Ann JAn interesting read and insite of a justice who so often presented the sole dicenting opinion in SCOTUS cases when I was a law student. Might be a little tough to follow if you haven't some legal background. But overall; I enjoyed it. I liked the included history that Justice Rehnquist included for the reader. If you want a challenge I recommend it.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great Book on the Writ of Habeas CorpusBy highlandlasI read this book the first time many years ago when I wrote a research paper in college on the same topic. I was thrilled when I read it to learn that I had used some of the same sources in my paper. Made me think I'd really gotten it right. It is well written and informative. I would have loved to discuss this subject with Justice Rehnquist before he passed. Anyone interested in the American legal system will enjoy this book. It is written in every day language so you don't have to be a lawyer to understand it.
