Unrequited Toil: A History of United States Slavery

Cambridge Essential Histories

by Calvin Schermerhorn

Written as a narrative history of slavery within the United States, Unrequited Toil details how an institution that seemed to be disappearing at the end of the American Revolution rose to become the most contested and valuable economic interest in the nation by 1850. Calvin Schermerhorn charts changes in the family lives of enslaved Americans, exploring the broader processes of nation-building in the United States, growth and intensification of national and international markets, the institutionalization of chattel slavery, and the growing relevance of race in the politics and society of the republic. In chapters organized chronologically, Schermerhorn argues that American economic development relied upon African Americans' social reproduction while simultaneously destroying their intergenerational cultural continuity. He explores the personal narratives of enslaved people and develops themes such as politics, economics, labor, literature, rebellion, and social conditions.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, 19th Century

266 pages, Paperback

First published August 31, 2018

About the author

Calvin Schermerhorn grew up in Southern Maryland on a landscape in which slavery was hidden. Now a historian and professor at Arizona State University researching African American inequality and U.S. slavery, he works to bring to light that troubled history.

Reviews

[Joshua Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartbreaking and concise coverage of the topic. Good intro for those interested in a basic foundation and sources to expand on if interested.

[Jeremy Canipe · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Unrequited Toil: A History of United States Slavery, Dr. Calvin Schermerhorn, one of the leading younger historians of enslavement in America provides an up-to-date narrative while taking into account more recent developments in the study of American slavery.

To have done so in under 250 pages is a remarkable achievement. This book synthesizes a new generation of scholarship and deserves a careful reading from both specialists and non-specialists alike. In particular, the book agrees with and advances argument from the new economic historians of slavery in America and war capitalism, which has proponents and detractors.

Possibly the only real weakness comes for the need to give a limited number of pages to the development of racial slavery in the context of broader European colonization. He also devoted substantial attention to the course of development of sectionalism tensions over the expansion of slavery and perhaps less attention to scholarship regarding the community and families of enslaved African Americans. Yet, these are both understandable decisions from an author distilling such a wealth of recent scholarship.

This book is highly recommended.

[Adam Gutschenritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more of a factual, by the numbers history and the story it tells just seemed to get worse by the chapter. This is a must read if you are looking for a history of enslavement in the United States. If you are looking for more of an "emotional" impact of slavery The Price for Their Pound of Flesh: The Value of the Enslaved, from Womb to Grave, in the Building of a Nation is a good companion to this book.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Those who think they understand slavery don't know it until they have read this book. It helps us to understand the impact that slavery still has on America today. Well written and researched. I found out many many things that I did not know, and I read a lot of history. A must read for those who want to know American history.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid overview and synthesis of the history of slavery and the major events and concepts that impacted the lives of the enslaved. It’s clearly written and easy to follow, with solid use of sources.

[Erik Ryberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, concise history of slavery in the US. Covers slavery in many forms and aspects around the United States, not just the South.

[Daheelauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't poorly written or particularly boring but just long. Plus I had to read it for school.

[Miriam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for school. Didn't love it, didn't hate it, it was fine. I learned a lot though.