Though the Heavens May Fall: The Landmark Trial That Led to the End of Human Slavery

The case of James Somerset, an escaped slave, in June of 1772 in London's Westminster Hall was a decisive turning point in human history. Steven Wise has uncovered fascinating new revelations in this case, which statesmen of the time threatened would bring the economy of the British Empire to a crashing halt. In a gripping, hour-by-hour narrative of the trial and the inflamed participants, Wise leads the reader to the extraordinary and unexpected decision by the great conservative judge, Lord Mansfield, which led to the United States' own abolition movement. As the case drew to a close, and defenders of slavery pleaded with him to maintain the system, Mansfield's reply has resounded down through more than two centuries: "Let Justice be done, though the Heavens may fall."

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Da Capo Press
Published: 01/03/2006
ISBN: 9780306814501
Pages: 320
Weight: 0.98lbs
Size: 8.98h x 6.46w x 0.80d

Review Citations: New York Times 02/26/2006 pg. 20