This book is definitely a winner. It fills a gaping hole in the scholarly literature about a very important subject, transcending the strong inclination of historians to confine themselves to simplistic counting and literal mindedness in their use of documents and databases." - Gwendolyn Midlo Hall, professor emerita of history, Rutgers University "Obadele-Starks does a comprehensive job, impressive in ... Read moreits scope, following the trade as it moves west, telling the story down to and through the Civil War, dealing with its international aspects, and putting it within the context of the struggle over slavery itself. The research that supports the narrative is prodigious."" - S. Charles Bolton, professor of history, University of Arkansas, Little Rock Show Less