All Times, All Peoples: A World History of Slavery

All Times, All Peoples: A World History of Slavery presents a comprehensive examination of slavery across human civilization, from ancient societies through modern times. Milton Meltzer documents how slavery manifested in different cultures and regions throughout history. The book traces the evolution of slavery as an institution, exploring its role in major civilizations including ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and pre-colonial Africa. The text covers the Atlantic slave trade, slavery in the Americas, and continues through to twentieth-century forms of human bondage. Meltzer draws from historical records, firsthand accounts, and archaeological evidence to construct this broad historical overview. The narrative moves chronologically while highlighting key developments, cultural practices, and social structures that enabled slavery to persist across millennia. This work reveals the universal human capacity for both cruelty and resistance, while demonstrating how economic and social forces have shaped systems of human exploitation throughout recorded history.

Limited review data exists online for this book. The few available reviews indicate readers found value in how Meltzer examines slavery across multiple civilizations rather than focusing only on American slavery. A high school teacher on Amazon noted using excerpts with students to demonstrate slavery's global scope. Readers appreciated: - Clear writing style for young readers - Historical photographs and illustrations - Coverage of lesser-known aspects of slavery worldwide Main criticisms: - Some dated language and perspectives (published 1971) - Brief treatment of complex topics - Limited primary sources Available Ratings: Goodreads: 3.75/5 (4 ratings) Amazon: No current rating (2 reviews) The book appears to be out of print with minimal online presence. Most references appear in academic bibliographies and reading lists rather than consumer reviews.

The Half Has Never Been Told by Edward E. Baptist This examination of American slavery focuses on its role in the development of capitalism and economic systems that persist into modern times.

Many Thousands Gone by Ira Berlin The book traces the evolution of slavery and black life in America from 1619 to 1819 through four distinct regions and time periods.

Inhuman Bondage by David Brion Davis The text presents slavery as a global phenomenon from ancient times through modern human trafficking with connections to race, religion, and economic systems.

The Slave Ship by Marcus Rediker This account examines the Atlantic slave trade through the lens of the ships that transported captives, documenting the experiences of captains, sailors, and enslaved people.

Slavery by Another Name by Douglas A. Blackmon The book reveals how forms of forced labor continued in the American South after emancipation through convict leasing and debt peonage until World War II.

📚 Author Milton Meltzer wrote more than 110 books during his career, most focused on social justice and history for young readers. 🏆 Meltzer received the 2001 Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal (now called the Children's Literature Legacy Award) for his substantial contributions to children's literature. ⛓️ The book reveals that during the height of the Roman Empire, an estimated 30-40% of the total population were enslaved people. 🌍 "All Times, All Peoples" explores slavery across six continents and multiple civilizations, demonstrating that slavery wasn't limited to the American South but was a global phenomenon. 📖 The book was part of a groundbreaking series of children's history books in the 1970s that addressed difficult topics like slavery, poverty, and racism with directness rather than sugar-coating them for young readers.