Book excerpt: Utilizing the accounts of observers and those who participated in the institution of slavery--slavers, travellers, and slaves themselves-- and the records kept by the judicial institutions of Islam, Fisher (African history, U. of London) explores the political, religious, economic, and social forces surrounding the growth and legitimization of the institution of slavery in Muslim Africa from the 10th century to the 19th century. He explains how the institution differed in nature and harshness both geographically and across time, offering stories where slaves were relatively well treated and rose to prominent places in society, as well as stories in which slaves were treated brutally and often rebelled. Annotation copyrighted by Book News Inc., Portland, OR