63 pages • 2 hours read
The Slave Ship: A Human History
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Book Brief
448
Book • Nonfiction
Atlantic Ocean • 18th Century
2007
Adult
18+ years
1290L
Super Short Summary
In The Slave Ship, Marcus Rediker explores the horrifying conditions endured by individuals on slave ships between 1700 and 1807, detailing the cramped and squalid environments, severe punishment, disease, and rampant abuse inflicted upon captives. Rediker examines the dynamics between captains, crews, and slaves, emphasizing systemic brutality and the limited resistance of the enslaved. The book includes sensitive content addressing sexual assault, extreme violence, and human suffering.
Dark
Unnerving
Informative
Melancholic
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
2,701 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Marcus Rediker's The Slave Ship is lauded for its meticulous research and vivid portrayal of the horrors aboard slave ships, bringing to light the inhumanity of the transatlantic slave trade. Critics praise its compelling narrative and historical depth. Some, however, find its graphic descriptions overwhelming and its pace uneven, detracting from the overall impact.
Who Should Read The Slave Ship?
A reader who would enjoy The Slave Ship by Marcus Rediker is keen on understanding human history, particularly the dark era of the transatlantic slave trade. They likely appreciate narratives that combine meticulous scholarship with vivid storytelling, akin to Howard Zinn’s A People's History of the United States.
2,701 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
448
Book • Nonfiction
Atlantic Ocean • 18th Century
2007
Adult
18+ years
1290L
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