Price for Their Pound of Flesh

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This groundbreaking work examines the economic valuation of enslaved individuals throughout their entire lives in early America, from birth to death and beyond. It reveals how enslaved people were treated as commodities, with their worth determined by factors such as age, gender, health, and market demands. The author, Daina Ramey Berry, meticulously explores the "life cycle" of enslaved individuals, detailing the lengths to which enslavers went to maximize profits and safeguard their investments. The book also uncovers the concept of "ghost values," highlighting the prices assigned to deceased enslaved individuals and the little-known domestic cadaver trade, including the illicit sales of bodies to medical schools. Berry's research spans over ten years, utilizing slave-trading records, insurance policies, and cemetery documents to provide a comprehensive understanding of enslaved values. With sensitivity, she brings forth the voices of the enslaved, shedding light on their experiences of being appraised, bartered, and sold. This profound examination challenges readers to view enslaved individuals as human beings rather than mere commodities, significantly influencing perspectives on slavery, reparations, capitalism, and the value of life and death. The work has received numerous prestigious awards, underscoring its impact and importance in historical discourse.