Overview
"Slavery is the next thing to hell," said Harriet Tubman, a leader of the Underground Railroad. For hundreds of years, Africans were kidnapped and forced to endure horrific sea voyages to the Americas. In this notable book, Richard Worth explores the trade that led to the enslavement of generations of Africans and African-Americans.Synopsis
"Slavery is the next thing to hell," said Harriet Tubman, a leader of the Underground Railroad. For hundreds of years, Africans were kidnapped and forced to endure horrific sea voyages to the Americas. In this notable book, Richard Worth explores the trade that led to the enslavement of generations of Africans and African-Americans.
Francine Thomas - Children's Literature
In 1729 Venture Smith is born in Guinea, West Africa. At age six, after his father's murder, he is led off with a rope around his neck. He is forced to carry a huge stone on his head while traveling over a distance of 400 miles. At the coast he is sold to a slave ship from Rhode Island in exchange for four gallons of rum and eventually given over to a life of hard labor. Venture is a victim of a well-established triangular trade dealing in the exchange of humans for products and services. Worth builds a foundation for understanding this complex issue with an beginning chapter on slavery's origins. As early as the first and second centuries B.C., Roman armies conquered Germans and Gauls taking their people as spoils of war. These unfortunate souls were subjugated as household servants or laborers in the field. Slavery survived throughout the ages. Even the early American colonists dealt in this detestable practice initially using indentured servants to support colonization. Families were often separated for sale to the highest bidder and sometimes worked to death. Worth cites passages from source documents to expose this profitable industry involving millions of Africans and African-Americans. Appropriate for classroom instruction, teachers should be aware that similar aspects of slavery are repeated in successive chapters. Though possibly disconcerting at first, this can be viewed as a source of reinforcement. Illustrations, timeline and bibliographic information enhance this addition to the "Slavery in American History" series. 2004, Enslow Publishers, Ages 8 to 12.
Editorials
Children's Literature
In 1729 Venture Smith is born in Guinea, West Africa. At age six, after his father's murder, he is led off with a rope around his neck. He is forced to carry a huge stone on his head while traveling over a distance of 400 miles. At the coast he is sold to a slave ship from Rhode Island in exchange for four gallons of rum and eventually given over to a life of hard labor. Venture is a victim of a well-established triangular trade dealing in the exchange of humans for products and services. Worth builds a foundation for understanding this complex issue with an beginning chapter on slavery's origins. As early as the first and second centuries B.C., Roman armies conquered Germans and Gauls taking their people as spoils of war. These unfortunate souls were subjugated as household servants or laborers in the field. Slavery survived throughout the ages. Even the early American colonists dealt in this detestable practice initially using indentured servants to support colonization. Families were often separated for sale to the highest bidder and sometimes worked to death. Worth cites passages from source documents to expose this profitable industry involving millions of Africans and African-Americans. Appropriate for classroom instruction, teachers should be aware that similar aspects of slavery are repeated in successive chapters. Though possibly disconcerting at first, this can be viewed as a source of reinforcement. Illustrations, timeline and bibliographic information enhance this addition to the "Slavery in American History" series. 2004, Enslow Publishers, Ages 8 to 12.—Francine Thomas