A Crime So Monstrous: Face-to-Face with Modern-Day Slavery by E. Benjamin Skinner is a groundbreaking and profoundly moving account of contemporary slavery, a crime that continues to devastate millions of lives across the globe. Skinner, a seasoned journalist, spent four years traveling to twelve countries—ranging from Haiti and Sudan to India, Eastern Europe, and even suburban America—reporting on the harrowing realities of modern-day slavery. Through a combination of investigative journalism and human stories, Skinner offers an eye-opening look at a practice that remains disturbingly widespread today.
The book delves deep into the lives of those enslaved, offering first-hand accounts of individuals who have endured unimaginable suffering, as well as those who have escaped. Skinner also examines the dark world of human traffickers and slave owners, exposing a global network of exploitation that thrives in the shadows. From forced labor in Indian quarries to child trafficking in Haiti, from the brothels of Bucharest to the mega-harems in Dubai, A Crime So Monstrous brings to light the devastating impact of this global epidemic. Skinner’s immersion into this world, including infiltrating trafficking networks and attending slave auctions, provides readers with an unparalleled view into the underbelly of human rights abuses.
This gripping and morally courageous book highlights the silent resistance and quiet dignity of those who suffer in slavery and the tireless work of the modern abolitionist movement. It is an urgent call for action, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a book that will stay with readers long after they turn the last page. It is essential reading for those interested in human rights, global injustice, and the ongoing fight for freedom.
