'Captives and Companions,' by Justin Marozzi, delves into the complex history of slavery and the slave trade in the Islamic world, tracing its evolution from the early days of Islam to the present. Marozzi explores the many forms of bondage that existed across regions like Libya, Turkey, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, highlighting the differences from Western chattel slavery and examining the roles of religion, race, and shifting social attitudes. The book weaves together vivid stories of individuals who navigated the institution of slavery, while also interrogating the persistence of prejudice and the selective use of religious justification. Marozzi is credited for his engaging storytelling, but the review notes his reliance on certain Western historiographical assumptions and cautions readers to consider the broader context of global slavery and abolition.