First published in 1832, this is the concluding part of a semi-autobiographical series. Corbière, a former sea captain, uses his own experiences to tell a fictionalized account of the slave trade. We follow the ship and its crew on one last, harrowing voyage from Africa to the Americas.

The Story

This volume focuses on the infamous 'Middle Passage'—the journey across the Atlantic. It details the daily, grinding cruelty: the shackles, the disease, the desperate attempts at rebellion, and the cold calculations of profit over human life. The narrative doesn't shy away from the moral rot that infects everyone involved, from the captain down to the lowest sailor.

Why You Should Read It

This book hits hard because it lacks modern sentimentality. Corbière writes with the chilling clarity of a man reporting facts, not asking for forgiveness. There's no heroic stand here, just a bleak picture of a brutal system. Reading it feels less like studying history and more like witnessing a crime scene. It makes the abstract numbers of the slave trade painfully, personally real.

Final Verdict

This is for readers who can handle difficult material and want a primary-source perspective that's free of romantic gloss. It's perfect for anyone interested in maritime history, the realities of the 19th century, or narratives that challenge comfortable historical memory. Be warned: it's dark, but its power comes from its refusal to look away.