Enslaved: True Stories of Modern Day Slavery

by Jesse Sage (Editor), Liora Kasten

Today, millions of people are being held in slavery around the world. From poverty-stricken countries to affluent American suburbs, slaves toil as sweatshop workers, sex slaves, migrant workers, and domestic servants. With exposés by seven former slaves--as well as one slaveholder--from Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States, this groundbreaking collection of harrowing first-hand accounts reveals how slavery continues to thrive in the twenty-first century. From the memoirs of Micheline, a Haitian girl coerced into domestic work in Connecticut, to the confessions of Abdel Nasser, a Mauritanian master turned abolitionist, these stories heighten awareness of a global human rights crisis that can no longer be ignored.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sociology, Justice, History, Memoir

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[S.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently finished Enslaved and recommend it to everyone who desires to open their eyes to the dark side of world we live in. Many people don't even realize slavery still goes on and others don't realize how prevalent it is. This book addresses both of those with seven modern day slave narratives and one from a former slave owner.

The book itself is incredibly difficult to read at times (often). At the same time though I don't know how I could have resisted reading every single story simply because these are humans whose tales and experiences deserve to inform us. I don't honestly know how anyone could finish this book and not work to abolish modern day slavery.

The accounts are also varied. There are slaves performing domestic work, child slaves, sex slaves, torture slaves, and in various countries including the US. If you know something already about the modern day slave trade or have never heard of it I highly recommend this book. These tales of human enslavement and escape are life-changing tales.

[Victoria (hotcocoaandbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this was the 18th Human Trafficking book I've read. What I liked about this one that stood out from all the others, is we get a few stories from actual slaves from all different viewpoints, yet about three were live-in-maids (in which one is a child), which I hadn't really read many accounts of before in the past. We also get to hear about a labor camp prisoner survivor and a man who lived in a family that owned slaves but became an abolitionist. Most books I've read focus on the sexual exploitation part of slavery (which is indeed cruel and disgusting) but this book really had only one story like that which was a horrific account from a girl who was a sex slave from age 14-17 in the early 1980s. It was a very good book and didn't give you statistics or try to convince and educate you, but just gave you real life accounts. This was unique and I am glad I finally read it after wanting to for three years!!!

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fascinating, albeit disturbing, account written by a reputable investigative journalist. His findings are insightful, provocative and often times surprising.

My qualm with the book is that he really doesn't provide any adequate or tangible solutions, so that the reader might react in a more substantive way. I understand that the issues surrounding slavery are complicated and therefore solutions tend to be complex. However, if the book wants to have any impact on the problem then it should have offered some preliminary solutions upon which a reader could react. I feel too many people will read the book, feel bad about the situation but will simply walk away from the issues.

[Eliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The accounts in this book were full of diversity. They were each written from a different place of origin, and were affected by different types of trafficking. Their ages varied and their ethnicities varied. Each and every story needs to be told and I learned a lot about the history of certain oppressed communities that aren’t often discussed, through this book. Each story is authentic and unique and searing. And when I say unique, I mean unique to me. There are so many people going through very similar situations in similar places at this very minute. The stories weren’t watered down for reader enjoyment, and they were written with the all of the emotion that can be expected from such a traumatic, disgusting situation. This book broke through the boundaries of the single-story narrative with all of the strength of people who refuse to be broken by the unbelievable cruelty of this world. This was a difficult read for sure, but their stories need to be told.

[Kevin Keating · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting book, but at times it just felt as if the writing was fiction rather than truth. But either way the important thing is to realize the many different forms slavery might take across the world. I will do more research on this subject and of course the really interesting thing to me is...if this is real and widespread why is it not more in the news? Why do we not know about it? We need an Uncle Toms Cabin for today to rile up the world to ending this institution. Don't think this book is it though.

[Stephan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Americans, when we hear stories of persons being held against their will, or made to perform maid duties so they avoid a beating we think of foreign lands. In reality, all it takes is a sick mindset and a teenage runaway. The main situation spotlighted in this book was young women forced into slavery by the prospect of oversea high wage nanny jobs for the wealthy. Once there, their passports are taken and sense of self raped away.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone passionate about Human Rights and the welfare of man kind !

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

We need not only listen, but respond by raising our voices

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains 10 stories of modern day slavery. Slavery is happening under eyes and we don’t even know it. People can’t even recognize it, or they don’t want to. This is a must read.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadly Slavery is not a thing of the past and still happens in many different forms. Enslaved tells the accounts of seven different people who were subjected to slavery and one person who was born a slave holder but turned to abolition.


The stories all varied and were on different subjects showcasing the different forms of slavery that exist to this day. At times Enslaved was hard to read and brutally painful to imagine that someone would do those thing to another human being. I choose Enslaved in hopes that I would better understand how slavery is still occurring in the world today and ways I can step up to help stop it. Despite the last chapter being ways to help stop slavery I do not feel that Enslaved was the best choice for learning about ways to stop slavery. It felt more like Enslaved is a starting point on learning more on the subject. Knowing what people have to deal with, even children, have me wanting to read more on the subject especially books that have proactive ways in which I can help make a difference.

[Intplibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye opening. With the exception of one of the narratives*, these people's stories are both heartbreaking and inspiring. I find it amazing that the state of modern slavery isn't a more discussed topic. The tales are horrific and I wouldn't recommend this to someone who has a hard time reading that sort of thing, but with that caveat, I'd recommend it to everyone else.[return][return]*There's a narrative from a woman who was abducted and forced to serve as a sex slave in the U.S. It bothered me that this was included in this collection because I don't see that as "slavery." It was kidnapping and torture. Pure sadism. Comparing it to the other ex-slave's story that also took place in the U.S. one can see the difference. But, I don't want to give away too many details here. Even non-fiction can have spoilers!

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a difficult book to read-- the experiences of people who were enslaved were infuriating, depressing, terrifying, uncomfortable, sickening, etc. I lost several nights' sleep as my mind could not turn off the images brought on by the authors' words. Though I suffered while reading this book, it was nothing compared to the amount of suffering experienced by the authors and by millions of people around the world who are held in bondage. I was surprised to learn that slavery still exists, and you probably are, too. Modern day slavery is global and complex, and, unfortunately, it's thriving. Please read this book or any other on the modern day slave trade, and educate yourself to become a modern day abolitionist.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I'm friends with the husband of one of the editors of this book.

This book was an excellent awakening to the existence of slavery in our midst today. The personal and gripping stories are varied but all highlight the fact of slavery across the planet. However, and not at all to lessen the tragedy of non-US-based slavery, the most eye-opening sections of the book were those written by those enslaved in America.

This is an important and informative book and should be widely read. The action steps in the conclusion are excellent and deserve thought and execution.

Even if you think this book would be too painful or scary to read, you should read this book.

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gruelling read. Very eye-opening for most of us, I imagine - it certainly was for me. If you're one of the many people (myself included) who have wandered about with their eyes only half open most of their lives and who basically think the world's a bit rough but a hell of a lot better than it was in the Old Days, this book will club you around the head with your own ignorance, and then rid you of it. I couldn't honestly say I ENJOYED it, but it's definitely intelligently and sensitively written and informative as hell.

[Lexivore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was aware of human trafficking thanks to living abroad for a while and various news articles as Kansas City, and all of America, has worked on lowering the incidences of human trafficking. We are far from winning the fight though sadly. However, reading these stories of actual victims and a former slave owner turned abolitionist was very enlightening. I read this for a class on Human Trafficking but I would recommend it to anyone who wishes to be educated on what is occurring in the world around us.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always amazed at the strength of people to survive in situations such as the ones in this book. I often wonder if I would have the perseverance and strength to survive. I would love to see this book, and other books about modern day slavery, used in History classes to allow for insight of the world surrounding us. So often, people think that history is just that, history. To be engaged in a dialogue about modern versions of past events is so valuable.

[Robin Canaday · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book full of personal anecdotes of modern slavery. They should have called it "Horror Stories of Modern Day Slavery," except that slavery is all too common to be considered exceptional/horrific by many cultures. It was definitely a work of activism. It was about what I expected from the title.

Did it open my eyes? Not particularly... but it did remind me that these things do go on, and that we have a responsibility to help the vulnerable.

[Elissa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a definite thriller of life of slaves all over the world. Just to read about what these people went through left a bad taste in my mouth. It made me sick to my stomach to read about this but It was required for my International Studies class so I had no choice. I believe that it enlightened my knowledge and made me become aware of what is out there in the world. Here, we are lucky with the lives we live, but others live in poverty and we can't change that unless we try.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accounts from those who have been subject to slavery in America, Africa, the Mideast, Asia, including foreign domestics who not allowed to return home by their employers, sex slaves, people who were kidnapped, tricked, forceably held, etc. Their first-person stories highlight the many varieties of this problem, at a time when many feel that slavery has been abolished in the modern world.

[Shovelmonkey1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as part of a slavery books spiral hosted on www.bookcrossing.com - this was better than the last book on modern slavery in the spiral as it was written in a more honest, forthright manner without the sensationalism that the previous book tried to write into the text. This is not a subject which needs additional drama - it is already the most awful and epic drama in its own right.

[penelopewanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here as part of the Slavery spiral.
Yet another book I think I'll have to buy for our school library. Especially appreciate the epilogue which doesn't leave the reader gasping with dismay but offers possible action. Too bad it's all focused on options for action in the United States - surely there are organizations in Europe and elsewhere which we can support?

[Cady · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sad book, with many tragic short stories. I liked it though, alot. I liked that it was alot of short stories not just one long story. In this book most of the stories had semi-happy endings, but it made me realize not all slave stories end like that and that's why I want to learn more about it, and the not so happy ending ones.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very difficult book to read that shouldn't be read all at once, might open some eyes for those who don't know much about trafficking and modern day slavery. Everyone should know that this occurs, especially women. It's scary, but has stories that need to be told.

[Tamar · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories are interesting but are terribly edited (it seems as though they were not edited at all) which I think takes away from the power of the stories being told

[Julia Schroeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

amazing personal accounts of modern day slavery, you'll definitely want some time to read this one. I had to put it down a few times.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was not as in-depth as I wanted it to be. It would be a good book for women studies 101 or for someone who doesn't know anything about the modern day slave trade.

[Devon Trevarrow Flaherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't put this book down! There are critiques I could give, for sure, but in the end, you need to read this. I will write more when I am done.

[Carolming · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disturbing! But it does open your eyes...

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

captivating and well written. probably the best non-kevin bales written book about "modern day slavery". It is a collection of stories about people who have lived in bondage.

[Justinia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful and heart-rending.