Not for Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade--and How We Can Fight It

The book that changed my life 2009-11-07

Reviewer: Sarah J. Morbitzer

I spent the week it took me to read this book crying, losing sleep, and unable to concentrate on anything but what I was learning.

I didn't want to know that teenage girls were being raped for profit in brothels. Or that little boys were brainwashed and forced to kill in rebel armies. Or that some of the products I bought were inexpensive because the person who produced them was forced to work for no pay.

And I didn't want to get involved.

But by the time I finished Not for Sale I knew I had to do something. Because if I ignored this and let it continue unchallenged I would be just as guilty as those who perpetuated these horrors in the first place.

This book changed me. I'm so glad it did. Working for the abolition of the modern-day slave trade is heartwrenching and exhilirating and discouraging and energizing. And completely worth it. I hope each person who reads this book will follow up by visiting [...] to find out ways they can also get involved. This is not going to end without our involvment.

Inspiring... 2009-10-10

Reviewer: DIBR

The tails are hard to read when still learning about the depth of human trafficking. But, it definitely inspires you to help and want to learn more.

Great Purchase 2009-08-11

Reviewer: Natasha Gilmore

This was a great purchase. I was impressed with everything about this book, from the content to the way it was written. The author did a great job mixing historical content, real life stories and the information on the organizations doing something about it.

Definitely recommend this book as a way to get an overview on many social injustices taking place in the world.

Are you ready to take the red pill? 2009-06-24

Reviewer: N. Davis

Do you remember the scene in The Matrix where Morpheus has given Neo the quick intro, including the horrifying truth about how humans have become merely an energy-producing commodity? And how Neo is overwhelmed to the point of throwing up? Well, that may well be how you feel after reading this book and learning that slavery is alive, prospering, and likely as close as your local massage parlor, restaurant, strip club, or fruit plantation.

There are many hard truths here (did you know there are more slaves now than ever before? 27m?), but if you believe that it's better to know such truths (and fight them) than to remain safely in a cuddly world of illusion, you should read this book, pass it on, and then join or support one of the brave organizations standing up for human rights and justice.

Eye Opening and Disturbing 2009-06-11

Reviewer: LMS

Recently after watching "Amazing Grace" on DVD, I found myself wanting to know more about modern day slavery. I did some online research and this book kept coming up again and again. I hadn't heard of the author, so I wasn't exactly sure what to expect.

This book is eye-opening and heartbreaking. It tells the real-life stories of people caught in a life of forced labor, sexual slavery and other forms of modern day slavery. This book will make you angry that such atrocities can and do happen in today's world.

To be honest, before I started researching the topic, I believed that slavery had ended after the Civil War.

While the slavery stories are heart-breaking, this book also gives a glimmer of hope. It also tells the stories of modern day abolitionists who are making a real difference, often at great personal risk. These incredibly brave men and women are not willing to stand passively by. They are willing to get involved and do what they can. It also gives a great reference guide of modern-day abolition movements and gives the reader practical ways they can be involved.

As I was thinking about this issue, I had a thought that I think applies perfectly to the abolition movement and human trafficking "No one can do everything, but everyone can do something."

We in America tend to think that the way to solve any problem is to throw money at it. If you are able, please support organizations like the ones in this book. But this book also makes the point that time and talent are equally as valuable.

This is a great book for someone who is fairly new to the human trafficking issue. It balances tragedy with hope. This is a book that every American should read. I think this book should be required reading for college students. This is an issue where awareness must be increased. If you buy this book, purchase several copies. This is definitely one you will want to pass on to others.