Slavery: A World History
Product ID: 4143118
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Slavery is not and has never been a "peculiar institution," but one that is deeply rooted in the history and economy of most countries. Although it has flourished in some periods and declined in others, human bondage for profit has never been eradicated completely. In Slavery: A World History renowned author Milton Meltzer traces slavery from its origins in prehistoric hunting societies; through the boom in slave trading that reached its peak in the United States with a pre-Civil War slave population of 4,000,000; through the forced labor under the Nazi regime and in the Soviet gulags; and finally to its widespread practice in many countries today, such as the debt bondage that miners endure in Brazil or the prostitution into which women are sold in Thailand. In this detailed, compassionate account, readers will learn how slavery arose, what forms it takes, what roles slaves have performed in their societies, what everyday existence is like for those enchained, and what can be done to end the degrading practice of slavery. Review: Excellent Historical Resource - The book is full of interesting information about man's inhumanity to all men. It fills in the details about slavery throughout history. Review: guiding the reader through the centuries and what daily life was like. In light of our country's current debates about ... - Fascinating book! You realize that most people's view of slavery is so short sighted and inaccurate - only thinking about the African American slavery in the American South. I was shocked to learn of the diverse practices of slavery around the world and throughout history. The author writes in a clear and concise way, guiding the reader through the centuries and what daily life was like. In light of our country's current debates about removing public statues of Southerners who had anything to do with slavery, this book helps you understand what a different mindset existed about slavery in the past. The book makes it clear that for most of civilization hardly anyone ever even questioned whether or not slavery was okay. That's just the way the world worked. We must be careful not to judge those who came before us by the standards of today.
| Best Sellers Rank | #942,645 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #406 in U.S. Abolition of Slavery History #430 in Slavery & Emancipation History #2,752 in Discrimination & Racism |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 137 Reviews |
L**E
Excellent Historical Resource
The book is full of interesting information about man's inhumanity to all men. It fills in the details about slavery throughout history.
M**T
guiding the reader through the centuries and what daily life was like. In light of our country's current debates about ...
Fascinating book! You realize that most people's view of slavery is so short sighted and inaccurate - only thinking about the African American slavery in the American South. I was shocked to learn of the diverse practices of slavery around the world and throughout history. The author writes in a clear and concise way, guiding the reader through the centuries and what daily life was like. In light of our country's current debates about removing public statues of Southerners who had anything to do with slavery, this book helps you understand what a different mindset existed about slavery in the past. The book makes it clear that for most of civilization hardly anyone ever even questioned whether or not slavery was okay. That's just the way the world worked. We must be careful not to judge those who came before us by the standards of today.
I**T
and Islam in as great of detail as it did Haiti
Very well written and researched. I only wish it had covered Asia, India, and Islam in as great of detail as it did Haiti. A must read for history lovers!
M**K
Fantastic if not harrowing book.
This truly is an excellent book. The references alone refer to some 2000 references. It is a scholarly masterpiece. What surprised me was the was the widespread extent of slavery in the Ancient Greek society. This should be compulsory reading in any school that teaches antiwhite racisms masked as the history of slavery in the US. Slavery to the US started with African tribes stealing their neighbors and selling them into bondages. If you go to a Slaving fort in west africa, and I have been to Elmina, this is clearly stated.
R**L
Comprehensive history of forgotten peoples
A great book, scholarly but easy to read. Originally published in two volumes, the first half deals with slavery from ancient times to the Renaissance, the second half concentrates on the African slave trade, and also covers some of the modern uses of forced labor, gulags and other types of near-slavery. I particularly appreciated reading about slavery in earliest history, a topic that is rarely covered. The comprehensive nature of this book keeps slavery in perspective, but doesn't shy away from the worst abuses when people are classed as property.
T**I
Well-Written History of World Slavery
It's dated (written in the 1970s) and doesn't have references for everything, but it's clear, concise, broad in scope, and intelligently written by a respectable historian. A good starting point in a study of slavery for the lay reader like me with a general interest in the subject. The many accompanying photos are tremendously enlightening. Begins with Mesopotamia (Sumer and Babylon), then Greece and Rome, where a lot more details are presented from historians of the period.
C**T
Okay but essentially leaves out the Arab Muslim slave trade in Africa which also raided Europe for slaves.
Not a "world history" since it leaves out the most extensive slave trade of the Arab Muslims in Africa - the east coast slave trade Gives an informative overview history of slavery in ancient and medieval societies which we don't hear much about. However, except for a few politically correct statements the book leaves out the huge topic of the Arab Muslim slave trade in Europe (the Muslim Barbary pirates) and especially Africa, which was very extensive and brutal - might read Humphrey J. Fisher for this, or do a web search. Surprising dishonesty in the title.
M**N
An absolute must read.
If you want a good historical overview of the roots and practices of slavery all over the world, this is the book to read. The chronological history of slavery from its inception is clear, easy to follow, and unbiased in its approach to documenting an atrocious inhuman chapter of human behavior.
J**E
Everyone should read this book. Excellent !
Very Informative and historically eye opening.
L**N
Great reading. Well researched and written.
It makes one ponder our previous concepts of slavery and opens up just about all societies as to this practice in great detail. As slavery was practiced in so many places it makes one wonder about humans and morality. A must read.
C**Y
Five Stars
An excellent book for those interested in a historical overview from the beginning of recorded history to modern times.
R**S
Five Stars
Excellent historically comprehensive study
M**F
Four Stars
Very interesting content. Should be compulsory reading !
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