David Harvey

Discover the history of how slavery helped finance the Industrial Revolution in England and expanded capitalism worldwide. Eric Williams' Capitalism and Slavery, published in 1944, established the centrality of the African slave trade in European economic development. His profound critique, blending an economic view of history with strong moral argument, refuted traditional ideas of progress and established the exploitation of commercial capitalism and its link to racial attitudes. A must-read for those interested in imperialism, economic development, and the lasting impact of slavery on our world.

In this influential work, the author provides a critical analysis of capitalist society in mid-Victorian England through detailed history and economic analysis. Considered the most important work in 20th century social science, the author's writing is often compared to Darwin's impact on biology. This abridged edition includes virtually all of Volume 1, along with key excerpts from Volume 3.