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edowdle's review against another edition
3.0
Extremely interesting information covering the breadth and variation of the Atlantic slave trade. Pretty dry, but a must-read for anyone who wants to understand that very dark part of history that built the foundation of our society. So, everyone.
lucasmiller's review against another edition
5.0
This is an expansive volume. That covers the entirety of the Atlantic slavery from 1492-1888, as well as covering many topics connected to the legacy of slavery and emancipation into the 21st century. Reading it at the steady pace I did (about 23 pages a day) still made the book seem unwieldy in its vast array of topics.
I feel like I'll return to this work like for reference often. I particularly value the way the author periodizes the history of slavery and emancipation. It was also very eye opening to read a more transnational account of Atlantic slavery giving equal weight to Slavery in The United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
I'm not sure that the Human Rights of the subtitle earns its place there in the text. While the concept of Human Rights is sprinkled throughout the books (with lots of references to Lynn Hunt's Inventing Human Rights) it never feels very systematic until maybe the last ten pages of the concluding chapter.
Overall, this book complicated everything I know about slavery and emancipation. It has set before me at least a dozen books culled from the footnotes that I believe deserve a full reading, and has sparked a legitimate interest in seeking out more British leftist Historians and reading the New Left Review. Recommended.
I feel like I'll return to this work like for reference often. I particularly value the way the author periodizes the history of slavery and emancipation. It was also very eye opening to read a more transnational account of Atlantic slavery giving equal weight to Slavery in The United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
I'm not sure that the Human Rights of the subtitle earns its place there in the text. While the concept of Human Rights is sprinkled throughout the books (with lots of references to Lynn Hunt's Inventing Human Rights) it never feels very systematic until maybe the last ten pages of the concluding chapter.
Overall, this book complicated everything I know about slavery and emancipation. It has set before me at least a dozen books culled from the footnotes that I believe deserve a full reading, and has sparked a legitimate interest in seeking out more British leftist Historians and reading the New Left Review. Recommended.
tkb1917's review against another edition
slow-paced
5.0
This book was very slow going and spans an incredible timeframe and space. Definitely one I’ll need to return to for specific references, but nonetheless a brilliantly crafted telling of Atlantic slavery’s impetus, progression and (partial) destruction.
resolutereader's review against another edition
5.0
An absolutely incredible single volume history of slavery and the struggle to end it.
Full Review: http://resolutereader.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/robin-blackburn-american-crucible.html
Full Review: http://resolutereader.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/robin-blackburn-american-crucible.html
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