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The Big Payback

The Case for Reparations for Slavery and How They Would Work
By Lenny Henry and Marcus Ryder
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Brief Description
Both timely and vital . . . There has never been greater need for a thoughtful discussion on race. This study of the case for reparations, which binds the past and present together so cleverly, is an important contribution. - Diane Abbott, Guardian After abolishing the... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
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Releases 12th January 2027 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "The Big Payback" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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An eye-opening manifesto on why reparations are the only way for the UK to address racism by Black British Lives Matter writers Lenny Henry and Marcus Ryder.

An eye-opening manifesto on why reparations are the only way for the UK to address racism by Black British Lives Matter writers Lenny Henry and Marcus Ryder.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Both timely and vital . . . There has never been greater need for a thoughtful discussion on race. This study of the case for reparations, which binds the past and present together so cleverly, is an important contribution. - Diane Abbott, Guardian

After abolishing the slave trade two centuries ago, the British government paid huge amounts of compensation to slave-owners. Only in 2015 did British taxpayers stop paying off this debt. How is it that slave-owners were paid compensation from our taxes, yet the enslaved and their families were not? Why should the descendants of former slave-owners still benefit from inherited wealth while the successors of the victims of slavery receive nothing, and may even have paid towards the debt of compensation through their taxes?

Beginning with these simple but startling questions and talking to reparation experts, economists, politicians and anti-racism campaigners, Lenny Henry and Marcus Ryder explore the burning issue of how to best resolve the ongoing inequality and racism resulting from four hundred years of slavery.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780571380060

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 08 October 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Faber & Faber

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 224

Collections

History & Archaeology History & Military Lenny Henry Marcus Ryder Non-Fiction Non-Fiction Pre-Orders Pre-order Books Pre-orders Pre-orders by Release Date

About the Author

Lenny Henry has been a comedian since the age of 16. He has risen from being a cult star on children's television to one of Britain's best-known and most celebrated comedians, as well as a writer, radio DJ, TV presenter, and award-winning actor.

Marcus Ryder has over twenty-five years' experience working in television and journalism and is a leader on the issue of diversity in the media.

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  • The Big Payback
    At the abolition of the slave trade two centuries ago, the British government paid huge amounts of compensation to slave-owners. Only in 2015 did British taxpayers stop paying off this debt. How is it that slave-owners were paid compensation from our taxes, yet the enslaved and their families were not? Why should the descendants of former slave-owners still benefit from...
    By Lenny Henry and Marcus Ryder
    Hardback
    $2999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

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  • The Big Payback
    At the abolition of the slave trade two centuries ago, the British government paid huge amounts of compensation to slave-owners. Only in 2015 did British taxpayers stop paying off this debt. How is it that slave-owners were paid compensation from our taxes, yet the enslaved and their families were not? Why should the descendants of former slave-owners still benefit from...
    By Lenny Henry and Marcus Ryder
    Hardback
    $2999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

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