Not an easy or fast read, but well written and very interesting and informative. I highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the early American history or in the history of the abolition of slavery, mainly its beginnings by the efforts to abolish the slave trade.

Also, an excellent supplementary reading for anyone who has read or wants to read the autobiography of Equiano titled "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African. Written by Himself."

Vincent Carretta's biography will give you the historical context of Equiano's own narrative, the motivations behind his narrative, and the controversy around his birth and childhood: Was he born a slave in South Carolina or was he kidnapped by slave traders from his home in Guinea, Africa when he was still a child?

Moreover, the character of Equiano becomes alive with all its flaws, strengths, and moral conflicts as he navigates the 18th century world first as a slave who once freed traded and own slaves himself until he fully realized the evils of slave trade and became a strong voice for the abolitionist cause.

Not a perfect book (if there is such a thing), but a thought provoking book and an excellent source of information.