After many years of research, award-winning historian Hugh Thomas portrays, in a balanced account, the complete history of the slave trade. Beginni...
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Nov 20, 2011
Lauren
rated it: 
There were few innocents except the children:
“’Man-stealing’ accounted for the majority of slaves taken to the New World, and it was usually the responsibility of Africans. Voltaire’s sharp comment that, while it was difficult to defend the conduct of Europeans in the slave trade, that of Africans in bartering each other was even more reprehensible, deserves to be better remembered./But then there was no sense of Africa: a Dahomeyan did not feel that he had anything in common even with a More...
“’Man-stealing’ accounted for the majority of slaves taken to the New World, and it was usually the responsibility of Africans. Voltaire’s sharp comment that, while it was difficult to defend the conduct of Europeans in the slave trade, that of Africans in bartering each other was even more reprehensible, deserves to be better remembered./But then there was no sense of Africa: a Dahomeyan did not feel that he had anything in common even with a More...
Dec 22, 2008
Finley
rated it: 
I must openly admit, this book was way beyond my level. Hugh Thomas at times uses references in different languages which I do not speak & uses some words never heard in my vocabulary. However I greatly enjoyed this read & the knowledge gained is invaluable. The writer has gone to great lengths to research & compile information accurately. I was able to learn interesting facts on the slave trade concerning many different nations. Facts that are seldom mentioned here in the U.S.A. It puts the sla
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Feb 05, 2012
Kate
rated it:
I currently put the book down and intend to pick it up again, it is not an easy read as his historical detail is thick and the chronological accounts can get weary. But as a history of the ugly truth of the slave trade, how it was carried out and the decisions made across America and the European continent that kept it in play cannot be ignored. Worth a dig-in.
Jun 18, 2011
Kat
rated it: 
I read this in the mid-90's for a highschopl project and was in way over my head as far as the length and time limit for our project. I ended up not finishing the book till after my project was due. However I believe the knowledge I gained as a Jr. in High School far exceeded what the other students learned as a result of reading this book.
Aug 28, 2007
JZ
rated it:
A very detailed history of the slave trade from Africa to the Americas, focusing on the trade aspects rather than what happened to the slaves when they reached their final destinations. If you can work your way through the book, and it's not an easy read, you may be surprised by how many slaves were brought over to countries other than the United States; Brazil actually imported the most slaves. The book also covers the efforts to eradicate the trade. An area of history not as well covered in mo
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Sep 23, 2010
The SLAVE TRADE: THE STORY OF THE ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE: 1440 - 1870 by Hugh Thomas (1999)
Jun 02, 2008
Paul
rated it:
There's one major lack in this otherwise worthy study: the experience of those enslaved, which is implied by descriptions of the terrible conditions under which they were wrenched from Africa, but tends to be muted by Thomas's focus on the economics of the trade. Still, chilling, humbling, and often suprising -- who knew Quakers were among the many Americans who had no difficulty being godfearin' flesh merchants?
Oct 30, 2007
I have tried three times now to read this book. I just haven't been able to do it. There are too many names, too many facts, too many figures, and too many pages. I never make it even a third of the way through.
I always find my mind wandering when trying this book. I will keep this on my shelf for a later attempt.
I always find my mind wandering when trying this book. I will keep this on my shelf for a later attempt.
Aug 31, 2011
Fredrick
rated it:
Analizes the Atlantic slave trade ovcer four centuries exploring the reasons and methods.
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