Eighteenth-century Britain was the world's leading centre for the slave trade. Profits soared and fortunes were made; but in 1788 things began to change. Bury The Chains tells the remarkable story of the men who sought to end slavery and brought the issue to the heart of British political life. 'Hochschild's marvellous book is a timely reminder of what a small group of determined people; with right on their side; can achieve. Carefully researched and elegantly written; with a pacy narrative that ranges from the coffee houses of London to the back-breaking sugar plantations of the West Indies; it charts the unlikely success of the first international human rights movement' Saul David; Literary Review 'Hochschild is such a gifted researcher and story-teller that he never fails to hold the reader's attention...For all its terrible theme; Hochschild's book is not in the least depressing; because it is suffused with admiration for the courage and enlightenment of the men and women who crusaded against this evil; and finally prevailed' Max Hastings; Sunday Telegraph 'Thought-provoking; absorbing and well-written' Brendan Simms; Sunday Times 'Stirring and unforgettable' Economist
#1252517 in Books Unknown 2009-10-15Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .90 x 6.12l; 1.34 #File Name: 1442600608376 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Better maps; andBy John B. Watson-JonesIt's hard to imagine a more readable or authoritative compact account of the Crusades. It puts into perspective a lot of European and eastern Mediterranean history. Better maps; and; especially for a popular audience; illustrations other than contemporary art would have given this book a fifth star.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good read.By P. HeathI liked the style of this book. It can be hard to make history interesting to read but I enjoyed this one. Helps provide a backdrop of jihad and crusades.3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A Gift to the Lay ReaderBy Joy HartnettJill Claster writes "There is about the Crusades something marvelous; something dreadful; and something fantastical." With such a sense of adventure; Claster offers the reader a feast of images--literal and metaphoric; a panoply of stories replete with personal and historic detail; and a powerful sense of the nearness of the distant past. The women and children that ruled and fought; the love stories and legends that infused decisions of state; and the daunting connections between faith and war. The pace in this book doesn't stop. We race through the Crusades with sustained engagement; drawn to each compelling next adventure; sustained by the surprisingly conversational tone of Claster's erudite voice; and reminded throughout of the depth of current insight that the past provides. This is a great read that breaks the boundaries of text book drear and welcomes the lay reader into a compelling tapestry of "pilgrimage; penance; and holy war." Sacred Violence will set fire to any book club discussion and make long that line of fans outside Professor Claster's classroom door.
