The American Slave Coast

A History of the Slave-Breeding Industry

By: Ned Sublette, Constance Sublette

Narrated by: Robin Eller

The American Slave Coast tells the horrific story of how the slavery business in the United States made the reproductive labor of "breeding women" essential to the expansion of the nation. The book shows how slaves' children, and their children's children, were human savings accounts that were the basis of money and credit. This was so deeply embedded in the economy of the slave states that it could be decommissioned only by emancipation, achieved through the bloodiest war in the history of the United States.

The American Slave Coast is an alternative history of the United States that presents the slavery business, as well as familiar historical figures and events, in a revealing new light.

©2016 Ned Sublette and Constance Sublette (P)2016 Tantor

An important book

The information in this book provides the "why" behind so many of America's historical events. Absolutely well written.

The narrator, however, displays so little emotion, that a friend asked if it was being read by Siri. This and the narrator's constant mispronunciation of words took away from the writing itself.

A riveting, detailed and compelling analysis of slavery, its consequences and impact on contemporary America.

This is a persuasive description of how the Republic developed two irreconcilably different sets of legal, political, social and even communitarian traditions. Like ‘Worse Than Slavery’ and ‘Slavery By Another Name,’ it illuminates those histories that leave one wondering about the roots of such practices as mass incarceration, indiscriminate policing, and the persistence of unequal education, housing and employment...The proof of the quality of this work is reinforced by the realities of today’s America.

Excellent History of the USA

Made very comfortable listening since the writing is excellent, though the narration could have been more helpful.

I recommend this book highly to anyone who wants a very balanced, thorough, and easy to read version of American history from an economic perspective that centers on the African slave as the currency that forms the basis of American capitalism.

American Truth Exposed

Great rendition of the history of slavery in America. a truly brilliant work of authorship that every American should read. This book details the significance of slavery in America history from the founding of the country to the beginning of the American economic engine.

Excellent! Very thorough on the topic!

One of the most comprehensive pre civil war American slavery books I’ve read. Amazing job researching and collating this vast amount of information!

You JIVE WH_TE M_____F___E_S!!!!!

If this book doesn’t enrage you at a BASE LEVEL, you are DEAD inside.
The brutality it chronicles is savage & relentless. And we STILL TRY TO PRETEND THE PAST AWAY.

Robin Eller does a great job narrating. I don’t know HOW she did it.

Every racial problem we have currently is an outgrowth of what the Sublette’s so courageously report here. Bravo to them!

Great book but....

Awesome book that seems to be very well researched. this book expands on topics that I have read in many other books on the subject.

Tge only caveat being is that the authors political leanings paint some of thier conclusions. for example, Antonin Scalia an originalist is not a racist. because One Believes In the founding documents does not mean that one believes that slavery should be brought back.

to be sure many of our founding fathers we're hypocrites but it does not change the truth in The Words which they wrote.

the book was quite long as it seemed to straighten to other parts of History's that would have probably been left two separate books. I would love to reread this book however it's length is an issue for me

all that having been said this book is very well worth the time.

An astounding account of the largely hidden history of the colonies and early America.

The pros:
This is a must read in high school and university courses on US History, Economics, Law, Government, Social Psychology, Ethics, and Sexual and Racial Politics. I was taken on a deep dive into the actual story of the invasion, occupation, slave trade, and slave economy through the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. I learned about the particular tensions between the British, French, and Spanish relative to the slave trade and the creation of the first states. I was provided with the facts and accounts needed to reassess the Founding Fathers: how they were involved in slavery, how they profited, how they treated (mistreated) enslaved people, including girls and young women. I learned the terms "Fancy Maid" and "One Eyed Man." Detailed are the relationships to slavery and slaves of every US president and key political figure from Washington, Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, Madison, the especially homicidal and genocidal Jackson, to Polk, Buchanan (the second worst US president to date), and Lincoln. I learned about why the slave trade was at odds with slave "breeding". How Black people weren't just the labor force of the burgeoning economy, but were also the capital, the currency, and the measure of profit and status. Ultimately, this is an account of unfathomable, horrendous inhumanity. A powerful companion text would be An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States, by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, as both histories are intricately connected.

The con:
The narration by Robin Eller. I genuinely kept wondering if the voice was computer generated. There was no indication of spirit or range at any point. In the generally monotone voice, the narration ranks in the top five worst but was not bad enough to make me wish I read the book instead or regret listening. I did listen at 1.25 speed, however, to get through it faster. Some terms, crucial to the story, were new to me: coffle and manumission. Then there were the mispronunciations, plentiful throughout. There was some consistency: the wrong syllable in the middle of the word tended to be emphasized. Here are a few examples:

InterMINable
PseudoNOMously
PaRENTage
JaCObins
DIaSPORa
VorAHcious
AlbeET
SubterFUGE
Exasperated, instead of exacerbated

I've made similar mistakes and I think most of us do. But I'm not paid to read history books. The responsibility falls to whoever hired her, although I've listened to snippets of other books she's read and in many she has much more vibrancy and depth. That said, I can't blame her for sounding less vivacious reading this one. All in all, I highly recommend the audiobook. Read it on paper if you can't deal with the voice. But it's easily one of the most important and educational books about the US I'd never read about a subject the US still avoids coming to terms with.

Incredibly Eye Opening

While the narration is poor, the contents of this book clearly delineate a timeline for each country, territory, and state's involvement in the barbarism of the trade. Additionally, it demonstrates an alternative view to the founding fathers of this country. Eyes open wide!

Incredibly researched, and information-packed book

Containing an incredible amount of valuable information, this book has taught me so much about aspects of slavery of which I had no idea. It is highly recommended.

However, the narration is so bad that it is painful to hear. With mispronunciations, terrible tonality, and slurring of some words, it's frustrating to try to complete. Thirty hours of painful listening proved unbearable. I will buy the book.