A Crime So Monstrous

A Crime So Monstrous investigates modern-day slavery through firsthand accounts and undercover reporting across four continents. Over four years, journalist E. Benjamin Skinner infiltrated trafficking networks and documented cases of human bondage in locations from Haiti to Romania to Dubai. The book combines Skinner's direct observations with historical context and policy analysis of slavery in the 21st century. Through interviews with slaves, slaveholders, and abolitionists, Skinner demonstrates how contemporary slavery operates within both legal gray areas and overtly criminal enterprises. Field reporting from the frontlines of anti-trafficking efforts reveals the challenges faced by activists and law enforcement. The narrative follows key figures in the modern abolition movement while examining why international efforts to combat slavery often fall short. This work forces readers to confront uncomfortable realities about human exploitation in the modern global economy. By connecting individual stories to broader systemic issues, the book raises essential questions about moral responsibility and the persistence of slavery in an interconnected world.

Readers find the book's investigative reporting and first-hand accounts of modern slavery compelling and eye-opening. Many note that Skinner's personal involvement in the investigations adds credibility and emotional weight. Readers appreciate: - Clear explanations of complex trafficking networks - Balance of personal stories with broader policy discussion - Focus on solutions and anti-trafficking efforts Common criticisms: - Writing can be dry and academic at times - Some passages feel repetitive - Structure jumps between locations/timelines, causing confusion "The personal stories hit hard but the policy sections drag," notes one Amazon reviewer. Another writes, "Changed how I view modern slavery but needed tighter editing." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (90+ reviews) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (40+ ratings) The book resonates particularly with readers interested in human rights and international development, though some find the academic tone reduces its accessibility.

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🔍 During his research for the book, Skinner posed as a buyer in slave markets across 12 countries, documenting how he could purchase human beings for as little as $50. ⚖️ The book's title comes from Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, where he referred to slavery as a "crime so monstrous that it rendered divine punishment inevitable." 🌍 Through his investigations, Skinner discovered that there were more slaves in 2007 when the book was published (27 million) than at any other time in human history. 🏆 A Crime So Monstrous won the 2009 Dayton Literary Peace Prize for nonfiction and was named one of the "Ten Best Books of 2008" by the Los Angeles Times. 💼 After publishing the book, Skinner served as Special Assistant to Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and later became Senior Vice President of Tau Investment Management, focusing on improving labor conditions in global supply chains.