Herzog's masterful study of slavery in the Straits Settlements breaks new ground in our understanding of how colonial officials applied their understandings of 'free' labour (originally developed in the context of slavery in the British Atlantic Empire) and applied it to Southeast Asia. I highly recommend Herzog's book.

Gareth Knapman, Research Fellow in History, Australian National University, Australia

Confidently weaving together the themes of empire, labour, gender and the law, Herzog defines and conceptualises slavery and anti-slavery in the British Straits Settlements. This original and innovative work makes an important and timely contribution to the scholarship of slavery's traumatic legacy in the Indian Ocean World.

Catherine Armstrong, Senior Lecturer in Modern History, Loughborough University, UK