Capitalism and Slavery
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 1,433 ratings, 130 reviews)Read More
Capitalism and Slavery
Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Capitalism and Slavery
Capitalism and Slavery by Eric Williams is a ground-breaking, paradigm-shifting work that examines the intricate and deeply intertwined relationship between transatlantic slavery, the development of capitalism, and the emergence of racism. This seminal 1944 study traces the rise and fall of the Atlantic slave trade throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, highlighting its pivotal role in the establishment of Britain's economic supremacy and the Industrial Revolution.
Williams meticulously argues that the slave trade was not merely a peripheral economic activity but was paramount to Britain's economic ascent. He elucidates how vast profits from slavery and the plantation economy fuelled Britain's industrial and commercial expansion, laying the foundational blocks for modern capitalism. Williams contends that as slavery became less profitable and more politically contentious, economic expediency dictated its abolition, thereby dispelling the myth that emancipation was primarily driven by moral progress.
Throughout Capitalism and Slavery, Williams analyses how racism was systematically constructed to justify the exploitation and dehumanisation of African slaves, offering an incisive look into how socio-economic interests shape societal ideologies. His examination exposes the stark realities of how an immoral economic agenda gave rise to deeply entrenched racial prejudices that continue to reverberate through modern history.
This landmark study has effectively influenced generations of historians and scholars, prompting a re-evaluation of the origins and ramifications of slavery and racism. As Seymour Drescher articulates, "If one criterion of a classic is its ability to reorient our most basic way of viewing an object or a concept, Eric Williams's study supremely passes that test." Similarly, the New Yorker notes, "Its thesis is a starting point for a new generation of scholarship."
Capitalism and Slavery remains a pivotal academic work that challenges established narratives and offers a profound understanding of the economic underpinnings of slavery, the ruthless calculations behind its abolition, and the enduring legacy of racism it fostered. This book is essential reading for anyone seeking to comprehend the complex historical forces that have shaped the modern world.
Series: Penguin Modern Classics
View allBook Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
A seminal work, Capitalism and Slavery by Eric Williams offers a groundbreaking analysis linking the rise of British capitalism to the exploitation of slave labour. Reviews commend the book as a classic critique and vital read, essential for understanding the intertwined histories of slavery, colonialism, and modern capitalism. It's described as intellectually bold and provocative, highlighting the unjust economic motivations behind slavery and its enduring legacies.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780241548165
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 24 February 2022
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Penguin Classics
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 17.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 224g
Pages: 304
About the Author
Eric Williams (1911-1981) was a pioneering historian and politician born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. He graduated with first-class honours from St Catherine's College, Oxford in 1935, and completed a DPhil in History in 1938. His dissertation, 'The Economic Aspects of the Abolition of the Slave Trade,' was published as Capitalism and Slavery in 1944, while he was a professor at Howard University. In 1956, Williams founded the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago's first modern political party. He led the country to independence from the British and became the nation's first prime minister in 1962.
More from History & Military
View allWhy buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent specialist on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our cozy 200m2 warehouse in Auckland holds over 10,000 books in-stock so you're not waiting for books to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Pick Ups
We're an online-only store but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.