Description
Book Synopsis: A groundbreaking history demonstrating that America's economic supremacy was built on the backs of enslaved peopleWinner of the 2015 Avery O. Craven Prize from the Organization of American Historians Winner of the 2015 Sidney Hillman Prize
Americans tend to cast slavery as a pre-modern institution - the nation's original sin, perhaps, but isolated in time and divorced from America's later success. But to do so robs the millions who suffered in bondage of their full legacy. As historian Edward E. Baptist reveals in The Half Has Never Been Told, the expansion of slavery in the first eight decades after American independence drove the evolution and modernization of the United States. In the span of a single lifetime, the South grew from a narrow coastal strip of worn-out tobacco plantations to a continental cotton empire, and the United States grew into a modern, industrial, and capitalist economy. Told through the intimate testimonies of survivors of slavery, plantation records, newspapers, as well as the words of politicians and entrepreneurs, The Half Has Never Been Told offers a radical new interpretation of American history.
Details
America's economic supremacy was not built solely on innovation and hard work, but also on the backs of enslaved people. The Half Has Never Been Told is a groundbreaking history that uncovers the harsh reality behind America's success. Winner of prestigious awards like the 2015 Avery O. Craven Prize and the Sidney Hillman Prize, this book challenges the notion that slavery is a mere relic of the past. Instead, it reveals how slavery shaped the nation's evolution and fueled its rise to become a modern, industrial, and capitalist economy.
Through the powerful narratives of survivors and extensive research, historian Edward E. Baptist exposes the hidden truth of how the expansion of slavery drove the transformation of the United States. From a narrow coastal strip of tobacco plantations, the South grew into a continental cotton empire within a single lifetime. This riveting account brings to light the struggles and suffering of millions who were subjected to the horrors of slavery, a legacy that cannot be ignored.
If you are ready to dive into a radical new interpretation of American history, The Half Has Never Been Told is a must-read. It weaves together personal stories, plantation records, newspapers, and the words of influential figures to paint a comprehensive picture of the impact of slavery on our nation. Prepare to be enlightened, shocked, and moved as you witness the true cost of America's economic success.
Unlock the hidden truths of America's history with The Half Has Never Been Told. Discover the price paid by millions, and gain a fresh perspective on the nation's rise to power. Don't miss out on this eye-opening journey that will challenge your perception of American prosperity.
Discover More Best Sellers in Biography & History
Shop Biography & History
Poor Charlie’s Almanack: The Essential Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger
$21.83


The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine
$15.11


Capital in the Twenty First Century
$25.56


Winners Dream: A Journey from Corner Store to Corner Office
$19.41


Capital in the Twenty-First Century
$20.70


Private Empire: ExxonMobil and American Power
$29.25


David A. Jones Always Moving Forward: A memoir of friends, family and building Humana
$34.95


When the Heavens Went on Sale: The Misfits and Geniuses Racing to Put Space Within Reach
$20.99
