Book excerpt: This book explores the biblical story of the Curse of Ham, and its relationship to the defence of slavery. It shows how during the Reformation period, the story began to be interpreted in new ways, that provided justification for the rapidly expanding, and extremely lucrative, Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Skilfully weaving together elements of theology, literature and history, this book not only provides a fascinating insight into the ways that issues of religion, economics and race could collide in the Reformation world, but also provides essential reading for anyone wishing to try to comprehend the origins of arguments used to justify slavery and segregation right up to the 1960s.