This reference work investigates the historical development, economic impact, and social consequences of slavery and the slave trade within the context of African history and its global diaspora. Martin A. Klein, a prominent historian specializing in African slavery and colonial history, compiles scholarly contributions to analyze the structural role of forced labor across various African societies. The text provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how internal slave systems interacted with external trade networks and the subsequent dispersal of African populations.

Scholars and historians frequently cite this encyclopedia as a foundational reference for understanding the complexities of African labor systems. The text is noted for its academic rigor and its ability to synthesize diverse regional histories into a coherent scholarly resource.