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Slavery: A World History Paperback – Illustrated, August 22, 1993
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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.
- Print length608 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateAugust 22, 1993
- Dimensions9.08 x 6.06 x 1.43 inches
- ISBN-100306805367
- ISBN-13978-0306805363
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Product details
- Publisher : Grand Central Publishing
- Publication date : August 22, 1993
- Edition : Illustrated
- Language : English
- Print length : 608 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0306805367
- ISBN-13 : 978-0306805363
- Item Weight : 2.15 pounds
- Dimensions : 9.08 x 6.06 x 1.43 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #519,729 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #125 in Slavery & Emancipation History
- #1,273 in Discrimination & Racism
- #1,562 in African American Demographic Studies (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Customers find the book provides a thorough explanation of slavery's history, guiding readers through centuries of the topic. They appreciate its readability and clarity.
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Customers praise the book's thorough and well-researched approach to slavery history, guiding readers through centuries of events.
"...What surprised me was the was the widespread extent of slavery in the Ancient Greek society...." Read more
"...The author writes in a clear and concise way, guiding the reader through the centuries and what daily life was like...." Read more
"...and doesn't have references for everything, but it's clear, concise, broad in scope, and intelligently written by a respectable historian...." Read more
"...of slavery from its inception is clear, easy to follow, and unbiased in its approach to documenting an atrocious inhuman chapter of human behavior." Read more
Customers find the book readable and well-written, with one customer describing it as fantastic and harrowing.
"This truly is an excellent book. The references alone refer to some 2000 references. It is a scholarly masterpiece...." Read more
"Fascinating book!..." Read more
"...of the roots and practices of slavery all over the world, this is the book to read...." Read more
"A very thorough explanation of the history of slavery. Well done ." Read more
Customers find the book clear.
"...The author writes in a clear and concise way, guiding the reader through the centuries and what daily life was like...." Read more
"...and doesn't have references for everything, but it's clear, concise, broad in scope, and intelligently written by a respectable..." Read more
"...The chronological history of slavery from its inception is clear, easy to follow, and unbiased in its approach to documenting an atrocious inhuman..." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2023Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThis 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.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2017Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseFascinating 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.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2021Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseNot a scholarly book though.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2023Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI bought this to replace my worn copy. Mr. Meltzer's research on this subject is 2nd to none. It should be required reading in American High Schools.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2019Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseIt'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.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2019Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseIf 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.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2015Format: PaperbackNot 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.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2022Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseA very thorough explanation of the history of slavery. Well done .
Top reviews from other countries
- JoanneReviewed in Canada on January 31, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone should read this book. Excellent !
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseVery Informative and historically eye opening.
- LeonReviewed in Spain on March 30, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Great reading. Well researched and written.
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseIt 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. J. MckinlayReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 19, 2015
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseAn excellent book for those interested in a historical overview from the beginning of recorded history to modern times.
- Roy J SquiresReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 12, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseExcellent historically comprehensive study
- MJFReviewed in the United Kingdom on July 3, 2018
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseVery interesting content. Should be compulsory reading !