Thomas Benjamin is Professor of History and a member of the Center for Transnational and Comparative History at Central Michigan University. He is editor-in-chief of the three-volume Encyclopedia of Western Colonialism Since 1450 and co-editor of The Atlantic World in the Age of Empire.

• Part I. The Oceans Shall Unloose the Bonds of Things: 1. Antecedents: the Americas, Africa and Europe in the fifteenth century; 2. Commencement: the European opening of the Atlantic ocean; 3. Conquests: forging the Iberian empires in Africa and the Americas; 4. Realms: the overseas empires of Spain and Portugal; Part II. Europe Supported by Africa and America: 5. Incursions: French, English and Dutch invasions of the Iberian Atlantic; 6. Engagement: the entangled worlds of Indians and Europeans; 7. Uprooted: West Africa, the Americas, and the Atlantic slave trade; 8. Bondage: the Atlantic plantation complex and the cultures of slaves; 9. Partners: women and men in the making of the Atlantic world; Part III. A New Order of the Ages: 10. Rivals: Britain and France in the long eighteenth century; 11. Liberty: the Atlantic world in the age of revolution; 12. Equality: the Atlantic world in the age of revolution; 13. Freedom: the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade and new world slavery.

'… an impressive work because of its scope, the number and quality of the illustrations, the updated references and suggestions for further reading, and the excerpts from primary sources … The book will be of interest not only to undergraduate students, but could also serve as to students taking the MPhil degree in Latin American Studies, Historical Studies, and Early Modern History.' Dr Gabriela Ramos, University of Cambridge

Thomas Benjamin is Professor of History and a member of the Center for Transnational and Comparative History at Central Michigan University. He is editor-in-chief of the three-volume Encyclopedia of Western Colonialism Since 1450 and co-editor of The Atlantic World in the Age of Empire.

• Part I. The Oceans Shall Unloose the Bonds of Things: 1. Antecedents: the Americas, Africa and Europe in the fifteenth century; 2. Commencement: the European opening of the Atlantic ocean; 3. Conquests: forging the Iberian empires in Africa and the Americas; 4. Realms: the overseas empires of Spain and Portugal; Part II. Europe Supported by Africa and America: 5. Incursions: French, English and Dutch invasions of the Iberian Atlantic; 6. Engagement: the entangled worlds of Indians and Europeans; 7. Uprooted: West Africa, the Americas, and the Atlantic slave trade; 8. Bondage: the Atlantic plantation complex and the cultures of slaves; 9. Partners: women and men in the making of the Atlantic world; Part III. A New Order of the Ages: 10. Rivals: Britain and France in the long eighteenth century; 11. Liberty: the Atlantic world in the age of revolution; 12. Equality: the Atlantic world in the age of revolution; 13. Freedom: the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade and new world slavery.

'… an impressive work because of its scope, the number and quality of the illustrations, the updated references and suggestions for further reading, and the excerpts from primary sources … The book will be of interest not only to undergraduate students, but could also serve as to students taking the MPhil degree in Latin American Studies, Historical Studies, and Early Modern History.' Dr Gabriela Ramos, University of Cambridge

Thomas Benjamin is Professor of History and a member of the Center for Transnational and Comparative History at Central Michigan University. He is editor-in-chief of the three-volume Encyclopedia of Western Colonialism Since 1450 and co-editor of The Atlantic World in the Age of Empire.

• Part I. The Oceans Shall Unloose the Bonds of Things: 1. Antecedents: the Americas, Africa and Europe in the fifteenth century; 2. Commencement: the European opening of the Atlantic ocean; 3. Conquests: forging the Iberian empires in Africa and the Americas; 4. Realms: the overseas empires of Spain and Portugal; Part II. Europe Supported by Africa and America: 5. Incursions: French, English and Dutch invasions of the Iberian Atlantic; 6. Engagement: the entangled worlds of Indians and Europeans; 7. Uprooted: West Africa, the Americas, and the Atlantic slave trade; 8. Bondage: the Atlantic plantation complex and the cultures of slaves; 9. Partners: women and men in the making of the Atlantic world; Part III. A New Order of the Ages: 10. Rivals: Britain and France in the long eighteenth century; 11. Liberty: the Atlantic world in the age of revolution; 12. Equality: the Atlantic world in the age of revolution; 13. Freedom: the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade and new world slavery.

'… an impressive work because of its scope, the number and quality of the illustrations, the updated references and suggestions for further reading, and the excerpts from primary sources … The book will be of interest not only to undergraduate students, but could also serve as to students taking the MPhil degree in Latin American Studies, Historical Studies, and Early Modern History.' Dr Gabriela Ramos, University of Cambridge