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Bury the Chains

Prophets and Rebels in the Fight to Free An Empire's Slaves
suzygill
Sep 12, 2012suzygill rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A great book. It reads like a novel outlining the long struggle by English reformers like William Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson to abolish the slave trade in Britain and its colonies. The slave trade was well entrenched and was a great source of wealth for many in Britain, including some in the Church of England and the abolitionists faced a well resourced and well organised opposition. The book also sets the struggle into its social and political context within Britain and in France, West Africa and the West Indies. Slavery of African people was an accepted part of the 17th and 18th Century global economy, yet this brave and determined group were able to overcome great odds. My only quibble is that it could have contained some maps. Well worth reading and very encouraging.