Read it, white people

This should be taught in every history and economics class in the US. Incredibly important for anyone, but especially white people, to read.

7 people found this helpful

Brilliant, though inelegant in its organization

One of the most fascinating topics out there. This collection of essays makes a convincing and chilling argument for how capitalism, contrary to popular belief, was wholly compatible with the institution of slavery. in fact, it was more than compatible; it was complicit in the growth of American slavery throughout the antebellum period.

The book, though, doesn't stop there. it makes a further argument that our modern global capitalist economy was built on a foundation of slave labor: as the cotton that fueled the textile mills--crucial for the early days of global industrialization--were grown and picked by American slaves.

My only critique of this book is that, as a collection of individual essays, the book lacks strong connective tissue chapter to chapter. All the essays are connected by a singular theme, but that theme--the inter-relation of slavery and capitalism--is incredibly broad, and so each individual chapter can cover vastly different aspects of this theme. At times, the arrangement of the essays leads to a rather jarring shift of focus from chapter to chapter.

But, aside from this, the book is excellent and a mi
must-read.

4 people found this helpful

The truth about America's economic power

The school history classes will not explore the depths of America's capitalism and the detrimental effects of slavery. This book is throught provoking, makes the reader angry, and brings tears to moments of how cruel humanity can be for profit. There is so much research in this book that I will have to listen and read it about three times to get a better understanding of the rich content.

7 people found this helpful

The volume is so low I can't hear it.

I have listened to almost 100 audiobooks on Audible and this is by far the very worst. Buyer beware.

7 people found this helpful

very enlightening

excellent insights into slavery's impact on development of the nation's economy and thoughts about non mainstream ideas why the North opposed slavery

6 people found this helpful

good book editor should do his/her freaking job

cheaper 32 the reader repeatedly calls the rothschild's the rothshields. Maybe that is some different pronunciation of Rothschild I have never heard before. luckily that particular reader isn't on very long. please get people that know something about the subject to read and listen to the book before you publish it.

6 people found this helpful

Interesting read

Amazing book which introduces many concepts, fundamental to American history, that few people are aware of.

There were a few chapters somewhere in the middle of the book about financing that were a bit to statistics focused in my opinion.

Overall, definitely a book that I will come back to for future research.

In depth info on how entrenched slavery was

Good narration, eye-opening information, takes time, but it's worth listening to and reflecting on how the U.S. societies were so intertwined. it definitely fills a gap in my historical knowledge.

Enlightening!

Very little non-academic readings exists on this subject. This book offers a comprehensive set of facts illustrating the importance of slavery in America’s economic development. The materials are also clear and easily understood.