Honestly this is the book on the history of the abolition of slavery. So informative and so detailed, really brings home the atrocities that colonisers caused in the name of delaying emancipation, as well as the black women, men, explorers, writers, doctors and revolutionaries who helped bring about societal reform.

This is such a vital and informative read, because these things were not taught in school (and the current efforts of some would see them never taught). Manjapra examines the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the emancipation processes (mostly as carried out by the US and British empires across North America and the Caribbean), and the continued colonization of Africa itself. In the process, he details how emancipations were largely focused on compensating slave-owners on lost "property" rather than restoring justice and reciprocity for the enslaved people whose labor, lives, and histories were stolen from them.

It's a slim volume packed with information. This has also been the first time in a while I've been interested in looking up some of the primary sources referenced, because they sound incredibly valuable.

Highly recommend, but be prepared for an emotionally tough read.

Boring but good info