Every man knows that slavery is a curse, whoever denies this, his lips libel his heart.

So that's a quote from someone called Theodore Dwight Weld.

He's a prominent American abolitionist from the 19th century, and it outlines the horrors of slavery.

American slavery, the transatlantic slave trade, that's something we're going to come on to a bit later in this series.

But today in this our first episode of the new series on slavery, we're going to focus on slavery at the very beginnings of human existence.

And we've got a very special guest, haven't we William?

Oh, so exciting. This is my fanboy moment.

I spent my Christmas holidays reading David Wengres, wonderful, orange Bible, as it's known in my family now,

because I used to carry it around with me all over the Christmas hole, the dawn of everything, a new history of humanity,

which David published last year, tragically just immediately after the death of his co-author, David Graber.

And the book got astonishing reviews around the world.

It's one of the most successful nonfiction books to come out of this country in America,

propelling the two David's into the top of the bestseller list with extraordinary coverage across the globe.

And we're very, very lucky to have David here.

I mean, that's what he's saying to your face behind your back.

He's sending me pictures of your billboards going, oh, bloody hell, he's got another billboard.

He's got all over New York.

Oh, this one's in New York.

This one's in California.

I'm boss.

Yes, I know.

I followed your progress too.

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