The practice of slavery ended after the Civil War with the passing of the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865. Yet, the effects of slavery are, and continue to be, long lasting. This necessary book takes a critical look at the concept of reparations for slavery, or the idea that descendants of slaves are owed financial compensation by the government. The author presents readers with a balanced discussion of the various existing arguments for and against reparations and explores what the case for reparations looks like today. Chapters discuss the legacy of slavery, the early attempts at reparations, and the complexities surrounding reparations in political and public discussion.