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The Half That Has Never Been Told

2014 book by Edward Baptist

2014 book by Edward Baptist

 

 

Edward Baptist’s  “The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery And The Making Of American Capitalism”  is getting attention since last month when the Economist published a piece on its website saying that slavery was not so bad.  They have been forced to take it down from their website.

Mr. Baptist argues in his new book that the historical mis-teaching of slavery has policy implications for the present.  “If slavery was outside of US history, for instance — if indeed it was a drag and not a rocket booster to American economic growth — then slavery was not implicated in US growth, success, power and wealth,” Baptist writes. “Therefore none of the massive quantities of wealth and treasure piled by that economic growth is owed to African Americans.” Anyone who believes that, hasn’t heard the half of it and really needs to read his book!

His first point that  Slavery was “a key driver” of wealth of the United States.  Read a synopsis of the 5 points he makes about Slavery at the Huffington Post Site  (October 28, 2014).

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