The Great Stain

Witnessing American Slavery

By: Noel Rae

Narrated by: Steven Crossley

Comprising personal accounts from an intensely consequential chapter in human history, the transatlantic slave trade, The Great Stain takes listeners from the depths of suffering to the heights of human dignity.

There have been numerous books about the why, when, and where of slavery in America, but there is a dearth of material exposing what slavery was actually like. In The Great Stain, researcher Noel Rae frames firsthand accounts from former slaves, slave owners, and even African slavers.

Rae exposes the commerce and culture of slavery, not only from an economic or moral standpoint but also through multitudinous perspectives within it: a young girl is beaten after being accused of stealing a piece of candy, a slave ship's surgeon recounts brutal treatment and squalid conditions, an Englishman visiting Haiti observes as violent uprisings break out. So many viewpoints ensure that no historical blind spot will leave the picture of an era incomplete.

The Great Stain weaves a tapestry of good and evil, of greed and kindness, and of a civilization as it develops, evolves, and continues to move toward the future. More than that, the listener will encounter the complex economic underpinning of an entire society based on the exploitation of the cheapest labor.

©2018 Noel Rae (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

The most vivid history of slavery I’ve encountered

I’ve read quite a few books on the sordid history of American slavery and the approach of this book, composed exclusively of first-person narratives and other contemporary sources connected only by brief contextualization, brought that history uniquely to life. If you read only one history of slavery, this one should be it; if you have read many, this one will illuminate them further.

The research that went into this book is incredibly impressive and the result is outstanding. Kudos to the scholarship of the author.

I was at first a bit surprised by the narrator’s English accent and thought it incongruous with the subject matter but I soon got used to it and the performance is terrific.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I’d give it ten stars if I could.

the great stain stays mainly on the plain

Is there anything you would change about this book?

the content the audio was too high, I could hear it

Has The Great Stain turned you off from other books in this genre?

Like what? Rumplestilskin?

What didn’t you like about Steven Crossley’s performance?

his voice sounds like the squeaky wheel that didn't get the grease

Was The Great Stain worth the listening time?

Oh sure, works better than Ambien

Any additional comments?

Blimey, this was bad