Review: The Atlantic Slave Trade

The Atlantic Slave Trade by Herbert S. Klein
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a comprehensive book on the transatlantic slave trade from its development through the abolition of slavery. Klein concentrates on 400 years of slavery and the role of western nations that perpetuated the trade but also puts the trade in context with slavery around the world. Besides the development of the slave trade, the author examines in separate chapters, the labor demand, a look at Africa at the time of the trade, then hones in on European and African organization of the slave trade. A vital chapter in the book details the experience of the middle passage. Finally, the author looks at the social and cultural impacts of the trade in the Americas and the ending of the British and the American trade.

Klien supports his thesis with an array of resources including quantifiable data. This will be a great reference for anyone studying the transatlantic slave trade.

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