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The Irish Slaves
They came in chains, under horrible conditions, and were sold to others who owned them completely. They were helpless. It sounds like a familiar story, but these people were not African. They were Irish, and they were slaves before African slavery became widespread. This is their story.
113 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2010
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304 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 16, 2016
Suffered through this one seeking more historical information on my Irish-slave ancestry. Reads like a seventh-grade research report (of which I have read many). Many misspellings, no page numbers, non-alphabetized bibliography. Cyclical repetitive content related out of sequence. A few facts of interest, but not much that is unique. Attempts at photos & original news articles are poorly-resolved & almost impossible to read in most cases. Think we paid $11 on Amazon: NOT WORTH IT!
February 3, 2015
I did not know
I went to Catholic schools. I am third generation Irish and I never heard this before. It's horrifying History is full of hate and victimization. Armenia. Jewish people Islamist terrorism. I shouldn't have been surprised. I shouldn't have had the feeling of sadness overcome my soul. I should have stopped reading and forgotten it. The story has to be told. History will repeat itself. The only hope is a change of heart
I went to Catholic schools. I am third generation Irish and I never heard this before. It's horrifying History is full of hate and victimization. Armenia. Jewish people Islamist terrorism. I shouldn't have been surprised. I shouldn't have had the feeling of sadness overcome my soul. I should have stopped reading and forgotten it. The story has to be told. History will repeat itself. The only hope is a change of heart
April 13, 2015
pretty sad subject but good historical research
Although the subject of slavery and indentured servitude are not cheery, it was well researched and I learned a lot even if it was poorly edited. We should learn this in school. Now I have a new understanding of phrases like "spirited away ", "no Irish need apply", and "white trash".
Although the subject of slavery and indentured servitude are not cheery, it was well researched and I learned a lot even if it was poorly edited. We should learn this in school. Now I have a new understanding of phrases like "spirited away ", "no Irish need apply", and "white trash".
April 17, 2011
The Irish Slaves: Slavery, Indenture and Contract Labour Among Irish Immigrants by Rhetta Akamatsu is a history book that narrates, not only some overlooked history, but a tale of humanity that both endures and is abhorrent. It is a well researched, well-written book that opens a page on the slave trade of past ages.
The book recounts the story of the terrible injustice perpetrated on the people of Ireland by England. It details the causes and cultural attitudes that led to this lucrative slave trade, and dissects the treatment of human beings used as a commodity.
The book divides itself by geography, taking each destination used in the Irish slave trade and documents the system and conduct of the people involved. The different laws and slave traditions are described for each region and the author adds historical accounts from the slaves and their masters that give a personal and insightful touch.
Generally, the narration flows smoothly, holding the reader firmly in the past, doling out the information in an engaging manner. The only flaws are some, perhaps unavoidable, repetition and the occasional typo that find their way into the pages, but they do not detract overly from the quality of the book.
The Irish Slaves is an absorbing read, making the history it recounts alive and vibrant in all its misery and perseverance. The book is a fascinating look into a piece of darker history.
Review first published as Book Review: The Irish Slaves: Slavery, Indenture and Contract Labour Among Irish Immigrants by Rhetta Akamatsu on Blogcritics.
The book recounts the story of the terrible injustice perpetrated on the people of Ireland by England. It details the causes and cultural attitudes that led to this lucrative slave trade, and dissects the treatment of human beings used as a commodity.
The book divides itself by geography, taking each destination used in the Irish slave trade and documents the system and conduct of the people involved. The different laws and slave traditions are described for each region and the author adds historical accounts from the slaves and their masters that give a personal and insightful touch.
Generally, the narration flows smoothly, holding the reader firmly in the past, doling out the information in an engaging manner. The only flaws are some, perhaps unavoidable, repetition and the occasional typo that find their way into the pages, but they do not detract overly from the quality of the book.
The Irish Slaves is an absorbing read, making the history it recounts alive and vibrant in all its misery and perseverance. The book is a fascinating look into a piece of darker history.
Review first published as Book Review: The Irish Slaves: Slavery, Indenture and Contract Labour Among Irish Immigrants by Rhetta Akamatsu on Blogcritics.
June 14, 2015
Inhumane humans
A well resourced account of the tragic story of the enslaved inhabitants of Erin. The formatting of this book leaves much to be desired (maybe just the Kindle edition?) There are also many typos...irritating. But an eye opening telling of the story of my ancestors. It was hard reading.
A well resourced account of the tragic story of the enslaved inhabitants of Erin. The formatting of this book leaves much to be desired (maybe just the Kindle edition?) There are also many typos...irritating. But an eye opening telling of the story of my ancestors. It was hard reading.
March 19, 2015
very repetitive
This book was interesting for about the first 25 pages. After that it seemed to repeat the same thing over and over again. I would not recommend this book.
This book was interesting for about the first 25 pages. After that it seemed to repeat the same thing over and over again. I would not recommend this book.
June 3, 2015
Frequently repeats information with a boring style of writing.
May 30, 2017
Very informative but extremely repetitive. She has a boring way of writing.
September 26, 2017
Historical information
May 14, 2020
As a i heard
Details confirM what my father and grandmother told me
Some redundancy in this book but a good read
THANK YOU
Details confirM what my father and grandmother told me
Some redundancy in this book but a good read
THANK YOU
June 3, 2022
This is a fascinating read. I'll tell you why... I have read passing reference to "white slavery" in various history books over the years. Most left me askance because seldom is the topic explored in depth, or with such thorough and expansive references - until now.
When you consider the voluminous research and reporting into the history of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and the treatment of African humanity during and since that period, you would think that more than a superficial understanding of European bondage and indentured servitude would have a parallel instructional imprint on the Western psyche. Instead, people of African descent have been left to shoulder the stigma of slavery alone for too long. The result has been a grudging assimilation of African people into the American ideal, and a gross miseducation of what makes a people vulnerable to systematic institutional exploitation and inhumane treatment.
To her credit, the author Rhetta Akamatsu, writes a compelling history of the plight of Irish people - starting with the ascent of the English crown - without the tone of resentment, or the reticence of acknowledgement which I have read in other accounts. The author acknowledges that many Irish people themselves likely know little of this history. Part of her motivation is to use this tome to cast a greater perspective on slavery. I think that she uses the Irish people's example aptly. This, my friends, is an "education."
When you consider the voluminous research and reporting into the history of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and the treatment of African humanity during and since that period, you would think that more than a superficial understanding of European bondage and indentured servitude would have a parallel instructional imprint on the Western psyche. Instead, people of African descent have been left to shoulder the stigma of slavery alone for too long. The result has been a grudging assimilation of African people into the American ideal, and a gross miseducation of what makes a people vulnerable to systematic institutional exploitation and inhumane treatment.
To her credit, the author Rhetta Akamatsu, writes a compelling history of the plight of Irish people - starting with the ascent of the English crown - without the tone of resentment, or the reticence of acknowledgement which I have read in other accounts. The author acknowledges that many Irish people themselves likely know little of this history. Part of her motivation is to use this tome to cast a greater perspective on slavery. I think that she uses the Irish people's example aptly. This, my friends, is an "education."
September 21, 2021
I was given the book by an Irish friend. I always enjoy good fiction but not when it masquerades as history. The moment I began this reading I pondered how after an entire Catholic school education and years surrounded by an Irish contingency in my growing up in New York years- I'd never heard of Irish slaves. Irish persecution, absolutely. Irish indentured conditions, yes. The abuse of the Irish, yes. Irish being treated as second-class citizens in abject poverty, yes. The potato famine, yes. Irish conditions under British rule, yes. Indentured, whether against the free will or as a means of living is not the same thing as slavery. It is horrible, it is wrong- but it is not slavery. For those seeking information on Irish history, I would look to more traditional, well-researched sources. The author of this book majors in writing about paranormal and one should be in awareness the checking many of the "facts" stated in this read is absolutely a must. Please see this link to a Reuters fact check: https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-fa... Here is the link to another article with a laundry list of signatures from noted Irish Scholars: https://limerick1914.medium.com/open-...
June 23, 2020
3 stars because I wish it had been edited for grammar better than it was. That being said I did enjoy this one. My grandparents used to tell me not to tell people I was Irish. My family wasn’t very accepted in my hometown, (I grew up there not my parents.) but many of the people there came from non Irish families. Old prejudices die hard. (Hard to hide a blatant Irish name.)
I like what the author said in the end that slavery is not a racial issue, it is a human one.
I like what the author said in the end that slavery is not a racial issue, it is a human one.
July 19, 2020
The Irish Slaves. This is a summary of the British using slavery and indentured servitude as a means of deporting the Irish. It is short (240 pages), and there is a lot of room for expanding the subject.
My mother hated the British with a vengeance, and this book relates why.
I am surprised how many people know nothing about this, and disgusted by how many people, in this post truth world, think it is made up.
My mother hated the British with a vengeance, and this book relates why.
I am surprised how many people know nothing about this, and disgusted by how many people, in this post truth world, think it is made up.
August 15, 2020
New learning
Had no Idea the Irish were brought to this country as slaves.
Seems a very well researched book. These facts seem to be the basis of some novels about Irish I have read. In some places was repetitious.
Had no Idea the Irish were brought to this country as slaves.
Seems a very well researched book. These facts seem to be the basis of some novels about Irish I have read. In some places was repetitious.
Read
July 16, 2022According to historians Jerome S. Handler and Matthew C. Reilly, "it is misleading, if not erroneous, to apply the term 'slave' to Irish and other indentured servants in early Barbados". In 2016, academics and Irish historians wrote to condemn the myth.
February 18, 2023
Very eye opening
I being of Irish decent and trying to find out more about my ancestors who they were and who am I. The journey has just started. Thank you so much for this book and I look forward to finding out more. Thanks again
I being of Irish decent and trying to find out more about my ancestors who they were and who am I. The journey has just started. Thank you so much for this book and I look forward to finding out more. Thanks again
October 22, 2024
I read this for my October Massaschusetts Reads challenge. A time in history you would like to know about. I wanted to know about Irish slaves being sent to West Indies. This book was a 3.5 , subject matter was very sad as is every book about slavery.
April 27, 2019
Great book
Nice book to read. Really opens ones eyes to the slave trade and how terrible it was for white and black slaves alike.
Nice book to read. Really opens ones eyes to the slave trade and how terrible it was for white and black slaves alike.
November 6, 2019
Great insight into the overlooked history of Irish slaves. I honestly thought the Irish were only indentured servants, but this book helped to shed light on a piece of history that is overlooked.
November 10, 2017
A truly eye opening history. If you have any Irish heritage at all it will make your blood boil to learn of the wicked and pure evil treatment our ancestors were put through.
October 24, 2020
I found this book very interesting. For many years I have heard talk from the elders in my family about the British enslaving the Irish at a rate larger than that of the Africans during, and before, the colonial period, however I had never really found any resources regarding that. This book delved into the rate of enslavement and how the British sent troops and snatched up entire populations in an area of Ireland to sell or transport (mostly to Barbados) and how the Irish were treated worse than the Africans. The Irish were cheaper and easier to get your hands on.
We are not talking indentured servitude and in some cases where that was entered into it was ignored when the period of service was completed. There are historical documents and records that show the numbers, the sales and the treatment of Irish slaves. A sad time in world history. A time that is rarely taught. I have a friend with a degree in European history who had never heard of these events and swore this was fiction. After a week she came back to me amazed, she had found unique sources confirming and could not believe it was not taught in college European history classes.
Through it all, just like most ethnicity's, the Irish persevered and eventually came out the other end of these unbelievable events in their history. This book is an eye opener and the tragedy should be better known. The events should be discussed in the same breaths with the African slave trade, reparations, colonialism and the rise in the world economic trade and slave trade coinciding, as well as any discussion of the British "Empire".
We are not talking indentured servitude and in some cases where that was entered into it was ignored when the period of service was completed. There are historical documents and records that show the numbers, the sales and the treatment of Irish slaves. A sad time in world history. A time that is rarely taught. I have a friend with a degree in European history who had never heard of these events and swore this was fiction. After a week she came back to me amazed, she had found unique sources confirming and could not believe it was not taught in college European history classes.
Through it all, just like most ethnicity's, the Irish persevered and eventually came out the other end of these unbelievable events in their history. This book is an eye opener and the tragedy should be better known. The events should be discussed in the same breaths with the African slave trade, reparations, colonialism and the rise in the world economic trade and slave trade coinciding, as well as any discussion of the British "Empire".
June 6, 2023
My original review got lost in the ether so I’ll try again.
I am struggling through this book and will finish it because it is so slim.
First, the huge spaces between the text in this unnumbered pages book leads me to believe the author felt the need to make the book seem like there’s more to it than there is; the bibliography is neither listed alphabetically nor according to where the reference appears in the text.
Second, I question why the author decided Barbados is not part of the West Indies. Since when?
Third, the author claims that enslavement of the Irish was worse than that of the Africans. The transatlantic slave trade was horrific for all that suffered and died because of it. So what, are we rank ordering whose pain was worse? She quotes a statistic from of all people Thomas Sowell, a Black conservative economist whose writings often minimize the horror and continued repercussions of the African slave trade. Horror is horror and comparing and contrasting the atrocities visited upon any racial or ethnic group is a false debate.
Clearly this book is self-published.
I am struggling through this book and will finish it because it is so slim.
First, the huge spaces between the text in this unnumbered pages book leads me to believe the author felt the need to make the book seem like there’s more to it than there is; the bibliography is neither listed alphabetically nor according to where the reference appears in the text.
Second, I question why the author decided Barbados is not part of the West Indies. Since when?
Third, the author claims that enslavement of the Irish was worse than that of the Africans. The transatlantic slave trade was horrific for all that suffered and died because of it. So what, are we rank ordering whose pain was worse? She quotes a statistic from of all people Thomas Sowell, a Black conservative economist whose writings often minimize the horror and continued repercussions of the African slave trade. Horror is horror and comparing and contrasting the atrocities visited upon any racial or ethnic group is a false debate.
Clearly this book is self-published.
December 16, 2014
The title and synopsis interested me greatly however the book was very disappointing. I have little idea whether the facts stated are true or not, however the style of writing was boring and completely uninspiring. I stopped reading this a number of times and because of it size I managed to get it finished. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
August 6, 2016
Very interesting book. The writing style was different than usual, short vignettes that jumped around without any noticeable cohesion. This didn't bother me and I would recommend this book to anyone interested in both the slave trade worldwide and Irish history in both Ireland and the New World.
December 29, 2013
Fascinating history – I was not aware of the Irish suffering in this way under the hands of the British. This is truly a missing piece of Irish British and American history.
November 21, 2016
Excellent History!
It seems that our school text books are missing several pages and an entire chapter of important Irish history. Thank you for writing this book!
It seems that our school text books are missing several pages and an entire chapter of important Irish history. Thank you for writing this book!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews