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by Robin Sharma
The Half Has Never Been Told summary
Brief summary
The Half Has Never Been Told by Edward E. Baptist is a gripping narrative that reveals the brutal truth about slavery's role in shaping America's economic success. It confronts the dark history and sheds light on the untold stories of enslaved people.
Table of Contents
The Half Has Never Been Told
Summary of key ideas
Discovering the Disturbing History of Slavery
In The Half Has Never Been Told, Edward E. Baptist offers us a comprehensive look into the horrifying constructs of American slavery. Baptist begins his narrative with a deep dive into the rise of the cotton kingdom in the late 1800s and its untold influence on the global landscape. He points out that the cotton industry was predominantly powered by constant inhumane exploitation and mistreatment of enslaved Africans.
He then illuminates the brutal reality of the forced migration of slaves. Baptist provides chilling insights into how half a million slaves were moved from the defunct tobacco farms of the Upper South to the thriving cotton plantations of the Deep South. He highlights the role of the U.S. government, the economy, and white entrepreneurs in maintaining this inhumane trade.
Unveiling the Inhumanity of Slavery
Plunging deeper into the inhumanity of the period, Baptist portrays the horrifying working conditions on cotton farms. He portrays how a 'pushing system' was developed, where overseers physically forced slaves to pick cotton faster and faster. Physical torture was used not only as punishment but also as a productivity mechanism. This led to increased cotton production, fuelling the economy in a manner we have come to call 'capitalism'.
Baptist sparks a debunking of the claim that slavery was a pre-modern institution, pointing out the intertwinement of slavery and American capitalism. He draws attention to the Western banking system, Northern factories and European industries that invested heavily in the cotton industry, and reveals how they were intertwined with the enslavement of African people. With this, he introduces the idea that modernity and brutality are, in fact, connected twins.
Confronting the Misrepresentation of Slavery
One of Baptist's main arguments in The Half Has Never Been Told is that traditional narratives of slavery largely tend to under-represent the hemisphere-altering scale of forced migration and forced labour that occurred over the period. He criticizes the way historians depict slavery as a largely benign, mutually beneficial arrangement, and the enslaved Africans as passive people with little resistance.
On the contrary, he argues, the enslaved were more than mere passive victims, they had agency and viewed the world in ways that mattered. He cites slaves' resistance and efforts to negotiate their circumstances, including transient refusals to work, slowing down of work pace, and even revolutions, thus giving voice to their long-ignored experiences and perspectives.
Changing the Contemporary Understanding of Slavery
The book transitions to the end with the Civil War, showing the emphatic role the slaves played in their own emancipation by fleeing Southern plantations to Union lines. Here, the author demonstrates the influence of the enslaved on the politics of the Civil War, leading to the proclamation of the Emancipation Act by Abraham Lincoln and ultimately, the abolition of institutionalized slavery.
In conclusion, The Half Has Never Been Told is a meticulously researched and passionately argued revision of American slavery history. Baptist challenges and changes our understanding of a significant dark period in American history by highlighting how the labor of the enslaved was central to the story of American growth and wealth. It serves as a sobering reminder that the past, as told by the victors, often obscures the lived experiences of the subjugated.
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What is The Half Has Never Been Told about?
This book delves into the untold history of American slavery and its central role in shaping the nation's economy. Through extensive research and compelling storytelling, Edward E. Baptist reveals the brutal realities of slavery and its profound impact on the development of the United States. It challenges the traditional narrative and offers a new perspective on this dark chapter in American history.
The Half Has Never Been Told Review
The Half Has Never Been Told (2014) is an eye-opening exploration of the role that slavery played in shaping the American economy. Here's why this book is definitely worth reading:
- It presents a meticulously researched account of the impact of slavery on America, revealing the profound economic and social implications.
- With its detailed analysis and nuanced perspective, it challenges conventional narratives and offers a fresh understanding of this dark period in history.
- The author's compelling storytelling brings to life the experiences of enslaved people and the networks of power that sustained the institution, keeping readers captivated throughout the book.
Who should read The Half Has Never Been Told?
- Readers interested in understanding the economic and social impact of slavery on America
- Those who want to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of American history
- Individuals who are open to challenging their preconceived notions and learning from a thought-provoking and well-researched narrative
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The Half Has Never Been Told FAQs
What is the main message of The Half Has Never Been Told?
The main message of The Half Has Never Been Told is the profound impact of slavery on America's economic development.
How long does it take to read The Half Has Never Been Told?
The reading time for The Half Has Never Been Told varies depending on the reader, but it takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Half Has Never Been Told a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Half Has Never Been Told is a compelling read that offers a thought-provoking perspective on the historical significance of slavery in shaping America's economy.
Who is the author of The Half Has Never Been Told?
The author of The Half Has Never Been Told is Edward E. Baptist.
What to read after The Half Has Never Been Told?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Half Has Never Been Told, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Ascent of Money by Niall Ferguson
- Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
- Civilization by Niall Ferguson
- No Logo by Naomi Klein
- The Road to Serfdom by Friedrich August von Hayek
- Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
- Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
- What Money Can't Buy by Michael J. Sandel
- The Long Tail by Chris Anderson
- The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein