In this study, Hawthorne (history, Ohio U.) examines the impact of the Atlantic slave trade on a number of small scale, decentralized societies in Africa's Guinea-Bissau region between 1400 and 1900. Drawing upon his knowledge of Balanta culture and oral sources as well as early Portuguese written records, he argues that these societies vigorously defended themselves against the raiders some even going so far as to capture their distant neighbors to trade for weapons and other materials. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)