Slavery in the Development of the Americas

Slavery in the Development of the Americas brings together work from leading historians and economic historians of slavery. The essays cover various aspects of slavery and the role of slavery in the development of the southern United States, Brazil, Cuba, the French and Dutch Caribbean, and elsewhere in the Americas. Some essays explore the emergence of the slave system, and others provide important insights about the operation of specific slave economics. There are reviews of slave markets and prices, and discussions of the efficiency and distributional aspects of slavery. Perspectives are brought on the transition from slavery and subsequent adjustments, and the volume contains the work of prominent scholars, many of whom have been pioneers in the study of slavery in the Americas.

Review of the hardback: 'This extensive review of slavery on the continent of America is one of those rare books that comes under the heading of 'essential reading' on the subject of enslavement in the Americas … As one might imagine, some papers are difficult to those innocent of the skills of mathematical analysis. Nonetheless, this book is of such importance an effort in that direction pays off handsomely.' Open History