Slavery by Another NameSlavery by Another Name
Score Modern
What it's about
After the Civil War ended slavery, Southern states found another way to force Black Americans to work: arresting them on vague charges like vagrancy and leasing them out as convict labor to mines, farms and factories, where many were worked to death. Douglas Blackmon reveals how this system lasted until the Second World War.
Why it's worth reading
It won the Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction. It exposes a shameful, hidden chapter of American history.
You'll love it if you liked
Wilmington's Lie
The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration
Twelve Years a SlaveGood to know
It describes cruelty and deaths in detail.
By the numbers
- Readers95 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics67 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller11 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #39 of the 198 history books we rank
- #109 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #216 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
True story
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Quick answers
Is Slavery by Another Name worth reading?
Yes. It won the Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction. It ranks #216 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 83.2 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Slavery by Another Name about?
After the Civil War ended slavery, Southern states found another way to force Black Americans to work: arresting them on vague charges like vagrancy and leasing them out as convict labor to mines, farms and factories, where many were worked to death. Douglas Blackmon reveals how this system lasted until the Second World War.
How long does it take to read Slavery by Another Name?
About 12 hours (468 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has Slavery by Another Name won?
Pulitzer Prize (General Nonfiction) winner (2009).
What should I read after Slavery by Another Name?
If you liked it, try Wilmington's Lie by David Zucchino, The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson or Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup.