Status Updates From Sins of the Fathers: The At...

The Portuguese paved the way for the Dutch slave traders, who jumped right in without the long dealings the Portuguese had with the African tribes. They were more cruel, less inclined to proselytize, and uninterested in African culture. They won the Elmina castle from the Portuguese in just 3 days

The author goes back to the very beginning of the Portuguese foray into West Africa. The first Africans were brought back toPortugal as novelties, not slaves. Prince Henry the Navigator soon began the slave trade, sanctioned by the Pope. Londoners st first were seen as friends by West Africans, and not until John Hawkins 3 slave voyages were they recognized as enemy slave traders.

I am reading this to learn about the AtlanticSlave Trade from the point of view of the traders , merchants, and slaves themselves. It seems to be part travelogue with interesting asides from the author’s visits to actual buildings where the trade took place on the West Coast of Africa.