Shackles from the Deep - by Michael H Cottman (Hardcover)

About the Book

"[This book is] the untold story of millions of people taken as captives to the New World. Told from the author's perspective, [it] introduces young readers to the wonders of diving, detective work, and discovery, while shedding light on the history of slavery"--

Book Synopsis

A pile of lime-encrusted shackles discovered on the seafloor in the remains of a ship called the Henrietta Marie, lands Michael Cottman, a Washington, D.C.-based journalist and avid scuba diver, in the middle of an amazing journey that stretches across three continents, from foundries and tombs in England, to slave ports on the shores of West Africa, to present-day Caribbean plantations. This is more than just the story of one ship - it's the untold story of millions of people taken as captives to the New World. Told from the author's perspective, this book introduces young readers to the wonders of diving, detective work, and discovery, while shedding light on the history of slavery.

Review Quotes

"This truly multidisciplinary volume, an adaptation of his 1999 title The Wreck of the Henrietta Marie, engagingly explores a wide scope of topics, including the history of slavery, marine archaeology, and contemporary racial discrimination, culminating in a dive down to the wreck itself. Every bit of this concise, detailed book feels personal, and Cottman's exploration and investigation of the wreck is rich with intrigue and poignant, thought-provoking questions." -- Booklist Starred Review

"The author combines carefully conducted research, invaluable insights, and a page-turning adventure of investigation and discovery into a riveting book that is affectingly personal, emotionally harrowing, and historically impactful." -- School Library Journal

"Cottman weaves his personal story of discovery with history of the slave trade, helping readers understand why a sunken slave ship from the 1700s still matters....Cottman wrote a well-received version of this story for adults (The Wreck of the Henrietta Marie, 1999), and this retelling for young readers is just as intriguing." -- Kirkus

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About the Author

MICHAEL H. COTTMAN, Pulitzer prize-winning journalist and author, is a former political reporter for the WashingtonPost. Cottman has appeared on National Public Radio's (NPR) "Tell Me More" with Michel Martin and also the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2000 to discuss his (adult) book The Wreck of the Henrietta Marie. Cottman also serves as a special consultant to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for a national, multimedia project, "Voyage to Discovery," an education initiative that focuses on the African-American contribution to the maritime industry spanning 300 years and efforts to teach students of color about careers in marine biology and oceanography.