62 pages • 2 hours read
Empire of Cotton
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Book Brief
640
Book • Nonfiction
Global • 19th century
2014
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Empire of Cotton by Sven Beckert chronicles the history of the global cotton trade and its vast network of growers, merchants, and manufacturers, exploring the origins and evolution of modern capitalism from the Industrial Revolution through the 20th century, highlighting the connections between cotton, slavery, colonialism, and labor exploitation. The book addresses the historical and systemic use of slave labor, including discussions of violence and coercion.
Informative
Challenging
Dark
Mysterious
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
4,290 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Sven Beckert's Empire of Cotton is lauded for its compelling and comprehensive history of global capitalism through the lens of the cotton industry. Critics praise its depth and detail, though some find its density overwhelming. The book's interdisciplinary approach and thorough research are widely appreciated, yet a few mention a lack of engaging narrative style.
Who Should Read Empire of Cotton?
Readers who appreciate Empire of Cotton by Sven Beckert are typically interested in global economic history and capitalism. Comparable works include Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel and Eric Hobsbawm's The Age of Capital. This audience values detailed historical analysis and the interconnectedness of global systems.
4,290 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Ellen Hootton
Ellen Hootton
A British child factory worker born in 1822 or 1823, whose testimony before His Majesty’s Factory Inquiry highlighted the harsh conditions for child laborers in textile mills.
Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandhi
Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandhi
An Indian lawyer and anti-colonial activist born in 1869, who used cotton as a symbol in his campaigns to protest British oppression and support Indian independence.
Eli Whitney
Eli Whitney
An American inventor born in 1765, credited with creating the cotton gin in 1793, which significantly boosted the productivity of cotton ginning and the expansion of the American cotton industry.
640
Book • Nonfiction
Global • 19th century
2014
Adult
18+ years
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