Super Short Summary

The Empire of Necessity by Greg Grandin provides a historical analysis of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, focusing on power shifts and successful slave revolts that emerged from the harsh conditions on slave ships. Grandin contends that the era, known as the Age of Liberty, masks its concurrent massive enslavement. The book begins with the 1805 voyage of the Perseverance and Captain Amasa Delano's encounter with the Tryal, revealing the slaves' successful revolt and the complexities of master-slave dynamics. This work underscores how terminology in history often reflects power abuses more than accurate representation. The narrative includes graphic descriptions of physical and emotional suffering experienced by enslaved individuals.