Black Cargoes: A History of the Atlantic Slave Trade 1518–1865

Black Cargoes: A History of the Atlantic Slave Trade 1518–1865 chronicles the three-century span of the transatlantic slave trade, from its early Portuguese origins through its eventual abolition. The book, published in 1962 by Daniel P. Mannix in collaboration with Malcolm Cowley, filled a significant gap in literature on the subject, being the first comprehensive work on the topic since 1900. The text presents historical records, documents, and firsthand accounts from various participants in the slave trade, including ship captains, sailors, and merchants. The narrative covers the economic systems that sustained the trade, the conditions aboard slave ships, and the complex network of African and European traders who facilitated the commerce. Drawing from extensive research and primary sources, Mannix examines the political forces that both perpetuated and eventually ended the Atlantic slave trade. The book pays particular attention to the role of various nations, including Portugal, Britain, France, and the United States. The work stands as a significant historical document, published during the American Civil Rights Movement, that brought renewed attention to this dark chapter of human history. Its thorough examination of the Atlantic slave trade's mechanics and scope helps readers understand the systematic nature of this historical institution.

Readers describe Black Cargoes as a detailed account of the Atlantic slave trade that blends historical research with narrative storytelling. Several readers note the book includes primary sources and firsthand accounts that bring the historical events to life. What readers liked: - Comprehensive coverage of the entire slave trade period - Inclusion of original documents and sailor accounts - Clear explanations of trade routes and economics - Documentation of both African and European involvement What readers disliked: - Some outdated language and terms (published 1962) - Occasional focus on sensational details - Limited coverage of slave resistance - Few perspectives from enslaved people themselves Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (31 ratings) Notable reader comment: "An unflinching look at the mechanics and brutality of the slave trade. Not an easy read but an important historical record." - Goodreads reviewer

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🔷 The book was first published in 1962, during a pivotal period in the Civil Rights Movement, just two years before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed. 🔷 Author Daniel P. Mannix was also known for writing about circus life and exotic animals, having worked as a professional sword-swallower and fire-eater in his youth. 🔷 An estimated 12.5 million Africans were shipped across the Atlantic between 1518 and 1865, the period covered by the book, with around 10.7 million surviving the journey. 🔷 The term "Black Cargoes" refers to how enslaved people were listed as cargo in ships' manifests, alongside other trade goods like sugar and tobacco. 🔷 The book's co-author, Malcolm Cowley, was a renowned literary critic and editor who helped revive interest in F. Scott Fitzgerald's work in the 1940s.