Siddharth Kara demonstrates the scope of modern slavery and its role in global supply chains to offer a concrete path toward its abolition. This searing expose-including revelatory interviews with both the enslaved and their oppressors-documents one of humanity's greatest wrongs and lays out the framework to eradicate it.
This New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestseller, shortlisted for the Financial Times Best Business Book of the Year Award, offers a powerful investigation into the human rights abuses tied to cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Siddharth Kara, an activist and researcher, delves into the harrowing realities faced by those living and working in cobalt-rich regions, sharing their testimonies. His research takes him into militia-controlled mining areas, where he uncovers the brutal conditions under which cobalt is extracted, often involving children and impoverished workers. Cobalt, a critical component in lithium-ion batteries that power our smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles, is predominantly sourced from the Congo, where around 75 percent of the world's supply is mined. The book highlights the stark reality that billions of people rely on these technologies, inadvertently contributing to a cycle of human rights and environmental crises. Kara emphasizes the moral responsibility we all share regarding the exploitation occurring in the Congo, urging readers to recognize their connection to these global issues. This crucial exposé calls for awareness and action in the face of such profound injustices.
Every year, countless women and children are abducted, deceived, or sold into forced prostitution, serving numerous men before being discarded. These trafficked individuals are central to one of the world's most lucrative illicit businesses, generating immense profits for their exploiters. Unlike narcotics, which require extensive processing, sex slaves can be repeatedly "consumed." Kara first encountered the horrors of slavery in a Bosnian refugee camp in 1995. He then embarked on a groundbreaking journey across four continents to investigate these crimes and assess their devastating human impact. His travels took him to countries including India, Nepal, and the United States, where he witnessed the sale of human beings and interviewed over four hundred victims. In this account, Kara shares the harrowing stories of those affected and exposes the shocking conditions of their exploitation. Utilizing his background in finance, economics, and law, he presents a comprehensive business analysis of contemporary slavery, particularly focusing on sex trafficking. He explores the local and global factors that have contributed to the rise of modern slavery and quantifies the industry's size and profitability. Additionally, he identifies sectors most vulnerable to targeted interventions and recommends specific legal and policy measures to combat this form of slavery. A portion of the book's proceeds will support the anti-slavery organiza