Product Description

Slavery is illegal throughout the world, yet more than twenty-seven million people are still trapped in one of history's oldest social institutions. Kevin Bales' disturbing story of contemporary slavery reaches from Pakistan's brick kilns and Thailand's brothels to various multinational corporations. His investigations reveal how the tragic emergence of a 'new slavery' is inextricably linked to the global economy. This completely revised edition includes a new preface. All of the author's royalties from this book go to fund antislavery projects around the world.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #157138 in Books
• Published on: 2004-11-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 324 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
The horror of slavery, says Kevin Bales, is "not confined to history." It is not only possible that slave labour is responsible for the shoes on your feet or your daily consumption of sugar, he writes; the products of their forced labour filter even more quietly into a broad portion of daily Western life: "They made the bricks for the factory that made the TV you watch. In Brazil, slaves made the charcoal that tempered the steel that made the springs in your car and the blade on your lawnmower ... Slaves keep your costs low and returns on your investments high".

The exhaustive research Disposable People shows that at least 27 million people are currently enslaved around the world. Bales, considered the world's leading expert on contemporary slavery, reveals the historical and economic conditions behind this resurgence. From Thailand, Mauritania, Brazil, Pakistan and India, Bales has gathered stories of people in unthinkable conditions, kept in bondage to support their owners' lives. Bales insists that even a small effort from a large number of people could end slavery and he devotes a large chapter to explaining the practical means by which this might be accomplished. "Are we willing to live in a world with slaves?" he asks. As a sign of his commitment, all his royalties from Disposable People will go toward the fight against slavery. --Maria Dolan, Amazon.com

Review
"A well-researched, scholarly, and deeply disturbing expose of modern-day slavery with well-thought-out strategies for what to do to combat this scourge. None of us is allowed the luxury of imagined impotence. We can do something about it." - Desmond Tutu"

Customer Reviews

Slavery exists today on all continents.
This book documents slavery in just five countries, but more importantly it gives a face to victims of slavery. Slaves range is age from 3 years to the age of usefulness. Mr. Bales contrasts American slavery to the slavery of today's global economy. However, horrific and inexcusable American slavery was, in some ways today's slavery is worse. It is certainly far more prevalent than most of us would like to beleive. Mr. Bales gives fairly easy tips on how average people can help combat slavery. My hope is that so many people will read this book that our combined efforts will have a positive and real effect for millions of adults, children, and children yet unborn.