The first section of pages in Hochschild's Bury the Chains deals with Equiano's book tour after completing his slavery narrative. The book appeared as the hearings were winding down, giving parliament another argument against slavery. After completing the book he began what is known as the world's first major political book tour. Equiano, shortly after marrying his interracial wife, headed out city to city, nation to nation advertising his book. Through his travels he managed to give the book wide circulation and this served a very important purpose. The book made white people aware that their black skin color had no impact on their minds which painted a new picture of Africans for many people through Equiano's intellect and writing style. He also skillfully combined genres of the popular books of the day in an effort to give it wide readability among numerous different types of people.
The next set of pages begins with the failure of the Slave-Act to become law. This leads the abolitionists to move towards a boycott of sugar as another avenue towards raising the consciousness of slavery among people in Britain. Following that, it moves into another book that was being used to spread the anti-slavery message from Clarkson. The book did not rely on theology, or heartwrenching tales but was mainly just a stripped down piece that let the gruesom evidence do the talking itself. It is considered the first great piece of investigative journalism in history.
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I'm glad you mentioned that Clarkson's book didn't use theology. I think it is important to note that his book gave straight facts and didn't attempt to have people sympathize with it. People needed to have their own opinions about slavery - the book did have certain intentions, but did not force people to think a certain way.
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