Dark Places of the Earth

Besides providing a glimpse into the brutal and dangerous world of the slave trade, [Bryant] overhauls our view of numerous early American historical figures-not only Key but also John Marshall, James Madison, and John Quincy Adams... In Bryant's gripping telling, the moral contradictions of the time are laid bare... Carefully researched, beautifully crafted, Dark Places-the title comes, ominously but evocatively, from Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness-is one of the very few books that delivers on the promiscuous promise to employ an obscure episode to offer new insights on a well-trod byway of history. -- David M. Shribman - Boston Globe Bryant masterfully narrates the incredible machinations revolving around the eventual case, which would drag on for seven years, and take a considerable toll on the captives awaiting a decision... Epic in scope, providing rich portraits of life at sea and trade in the Atlantic world, slavery and its hazards in the malaria-ridden South, and the tension between the ethical and financial interests of a slew of chummy Southern gentlemen adjudicating the case, Dark Places of the Earth is an invaluable contribution to the understanding of antebellum America. -- Bobbi Booker - Philadelphia Tribune From its poetic title to its concluding sentence, Dark Places of the Earth spins a riveting yarn, using the vexed voyage of the slave ship Antelope to illuminate a profound moment in American history. Vividly drawn characters and courtroom drama make this narrative history of a high order. -- Marcus Rediker, author of The Amistad Rebellion In this fascinating and engagingly written study, Jonathan M. Bryant illuminates a largely forgotten-but highly significant-episode in American legal history. Based on prodigious and meticulous research, Dark Places of the Earth will appeal to general readers and scholars alike. An important, original book. -- Douglas R. Egerton, author of The Wars of Reconstruction: The Brief, Violent History of America's Most Progressive Era Jonathan Bryant sheds new and revealing light on a dark chapter in the history of American slavery, and on a Supreme Court decision that, despite its faults, deserves to be better known. -- Brian McGinty, author of Lincoln's Greatest Case Bryant presents a broadened picture of the transatlantic slave trade while illuminating a legal battle with huge moral implications. -- Barbara Hoffert - Library Journal A richly documented work that restores the Antelope to its central place in the long, grim history of the Atlantic slave trade. -- Kirkus Reviews Detailed and fascinating account... This is a superb examination of an obscure but important episode in the struggle against slavery. -- Jay Freeman - Booklist, Starred review