Cindy Vallar's Blog, page 9

Review of Rebecca Simon's The Pirates' Code

The Pirates’ Code: Laws and Life Aboard Ship by Rebecca Simon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Many people may think of pirates as being somewhat chaotic and in favor of anarchy. The opposite is true, as Dr. Simon adeptly demonstrates in her latest book, The Pirates’ Code. Each crew of pirates devised their own set of rules under which they would sail, and these articles of agreement dictated what would happen to anyone who failed to adhere to them. Such codes also indicated how much each pirate received from plunder and how much compensation injured pirates were entitled to. The pirates and their codes under discussion here sailed during the most prolific period of piracy, 1650 to 1730. The earliest mention of such an agreement comes from Alexandre Exquemelin, a buccaneer and the author of The Buccaneers of America. Four other articles of agreement have come down to us. The first, which appeared in a colonial newspaper and an account of thirty-six men tried for piracy, belonged to pirates who sailed with the infamous Edward Low. The other three codes (published in Captain Johnson’s A General History of the Pyrates) were from the crews of Bartholomew Roberts, George Lowther, and John Phillips.

After introducing readers to the Golden Age of Piracy and articles of agreement, Dr. Simon divides the rules into individual chapters in which she explores the purpose of each and how it impacts a pirate’s life. The first focuses on work and wages on a pirate ship, providing some comparisons to life in the merchant marine and navy. The second examines punishments; these pertain to both those the pirates suffer when in violation of the rules and what they inflict on captives. Chapter three concerns health and safety, while the fourth explores intimate relationships among pirates (male and/or female). Weaponry, fighting tactics, and safety are covered in chapter five. The subjects of food, drink, and vices are discussed in the sixth and seventh chapters. Entertainment and culture are explored in the final one. She concludes her study of the articles and pirate life with a look at how the pirates bring about their own downfall by the end of the era. Black-and-white illustrations are scattered throughout the book, which also has a center section of color pictures. There are a select list of pirates that includes tidbits about each and a glossary. References, a bibliography, and an index round out the volume.

There are many books that focus on pirates and their lives at sea, but Dr. Simon brings a fresh perspective to this topic by examining them from the lens of their articles of agreement. She provides snippets from contemporary documents and eyewitnesses, be they pirates or victims, to showcase how aspects of the rules impacted what pirates did and how they lived. Specific pirates, some well-known and others who are not, are showcased to validate what is discussed under each rule. Throughout the book she emphasizes that these codes served specific purposes: to safeguard their environment, to minimize conflict among themselves, to maintain loyalty within each crew, and to provide protection from the hazards of working at sea. In other words, the goals of these articles were to gain wealth and stay alive.

The Pirates’ Code is informative, refreshing, and remarkable. It shines a light on a much-discussed topic while also bringing forth new material not found in previous books. Regardless of your level of knowledge of pirate lore, this volume is a treasure for any collection.


(This review was originally published at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/RSimon.htm...)




View all my reviews

Review of Rita Chang-Eppig's Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea

Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea by Rita Chang-Eppig

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The death of her husband surprises Shek Yeung. Not because he dies; that possibility is expected when one is a pirate. What catches her off guard is that she loved him. After all, he’s the one who stole her from her life as a prostitute to live and prey upon the sea. His death complicates her life. She commands half the Red Banner Fleet, but everything now belongs to her husband’s “adopted” son and lover, Cheung Po. Her husband’s death also puts the pirate alliance on wary footing. If she wishes to maintain control and her freedom, there is only one option: she and Cheung Po must marry.

Despite their age differences and outlooks on life, Shek Yeung and Cheung Po do wed. Theirs is a fragile alliance, but one that is on surer footing than the confederation of pirate fleets. Kwok Po-Tai of the Black Banner is the biggest threat and Cheung Po doesn’t trust him since the man dislikes sharing sea space with the Red Banner. Kwok Po-Tai is also jealous. Once her late husband’s protégé, he found himself displaced by Cheung Po. Choy Hin of the Blue Banner has close ties with Cheung Po but is also addicted to opium. He’s too easily swayed by his wife, who believes everything her English contacts share, especially if they pertain to her most hated enemy, the Dutch. The only way they will continue to rule the seas is if the Red, Black, Blue, Green, and White Banners stay united. If not, the imperial forces will win.

In addition to her concern about the alliance, Shek Yeung believes there is at least one spy among them. Then news comes that the Chinese emperor has chosen a new leader to wipe out the pirates. Pak Ling, known as the Emperor’s Sword, successfully suppressed the rebels in the north. He is smart, crafty, and determined – a formidable enemy who uses many strategies to defeat his foes. The failure of the White Banner to meet up with the Blue is also worrisome. As is intelligence learned from a Dutch captive about a pact between European enemies and the Chinese emperor.

Although loosely based on Zheng Yi Sao, this novel is not historical biographical fiction. Instead, it shadows what is known of the real pirate while offering unique and provocative circumstances to make Shek Yeung a compelling character shaped by life experiences. It is also a story of survival and knowing when to hold and when to fold. The author successfully entwines history, myth, and fiction into an intricately woven tapestry that vividly recreates time and place.




View all my reviews

Review of Oksanna & Larissa Crawley's Pirate Glitterbeard

Pirate Glitterbeard by Oksanna Crawley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Freedom. This is an important word to pirates. But Pirate Gruffybeard of The Heart’s Desire isn’t free. He has a secret and if the crew finds out, they may not listen to him anymore.

He loves anything that’s pink and glittery, but only in his cabin when he’s alone can Pirate Gruffybeard be his true self. One day, he sprinkles pink glitter on his beard and puts on a pink skirt. Just then, the lookout cries out a warning: Pirate Squidlips and the Rotten Turnip are approaching. If she captures his ship, Pirate Gruffybeard knows he and his crew will be shark bait.

Without thinking, he runs out on deck. The crew is stunned. Rather than hide, he shares his secret. Instead of being horrified, his crew share theirs until the lookout once again shouts. Time is running out. They must act. Should they sail closer and fight the Rotten Turnip? Pirate Gruffybeard thinks not, but what can they do to turn the tables in their favor?

Written for young pirates, this story is about having the courage to be who you really are. The authors, a mother-daughter team, have created a unique story that demonstrates through narrative and colorful illustrations that it’s okay to be quirky and that just because you are does not mean you can’t be courageous too. This is a tale about acceptance and following a different path. While these pirates may not be what readers expect, they are true to pirate lore and come up with an ingenuous way to escape the danger they face.




View all my reviews

Review of Julian Stockwin's Conquest

Conquest by Julian Stockwin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Soon after the victory at Trafalgar and the death of Lord Horatio Nelson, the Russian tsar and the Austrians capitulate, leaving the Coalition against Napoleon Bonaparte in ruins and Britain once again alone in her struggle against the French. Having escorted Nelson’s body home, Thomas Kydd and his men expect to join the nation in mourning their beloved hero. The Admiralty has other plans. L’Aurore is to rendezvous with Commodore Home Popham. No other information is provided; simply get to Madeira as quickly as possible.

Kydd dislikes being kept in the dark, but the need goes far beyond whatever he may imagine. Napolean began the race for empire, but now that Britain rules the seas, it is time for her to launch her own imperial expansion. The first objective is to take command of Cape Town in south Africa, settled by the Dutch who are now allied with the French.

To maintain secrecy, the fleet sails westward to Brazil, but all does not go as planned. Kydd’s frigate escorts the slower transport ships, while the rest of the fleet continues on as planned. In the dark of night, the dreaded call of “Breakers!” is heard. No sooner is that danger processed than Kydd realizes there is also land to their other side. Trapped with no idea as to where they are and how to extricate themselves from this dangerous situation, Kydd anchors and warns the rest of his flock to do the same. Dawn reveals that not all the ships in his care have weathered as well, so by the time they finally arrive in African waters, the army’s horses, men, and artillery are greatly depleted. Still, there is little else to do but carry on and Kydd is assigned as naval liaison, which means he must go ashore and witness the battle rather than being an active participant – a fact that greatly chafes.

Despite their small amphibious force, the British succeed, almost too easily. It doesn’t take long to discover why the town capitulates so easily – there is but a few days’ worth of food left and starvation threatens. With the help of Nicholas Renzi as Colonial Secretary, General Baird begins work as the new governor. The townsfolk must be won over and there is still the Dutch army who has retreated to a mountain stronghold to deal with. And any day now, French squadrons that patrol the waters around Africa and the Indian Ocean are certain to launch their own attack to reclaim Cape Town for their emperor.

On one coastal patrol, Kydd and his men happen upon a shipwreck with seemingly only one survivor. With the help of a translator, it is soon revealed that others set off on foot. Knowing the dangers these stalwart individuals face, Kydd is determined to find them before they all are lost. That kindness is later returned when information about an impending attack leads Renzi to trek into the wild bush in hopes of verifying the existence of this secret army, while Kydd risks a court-martial and the loss his men’s respect when he abandons a sea fight to discover the true reason for the enemy frigate’s dogged pursuit of them.

This twelfth installment in the Thomas Kydd series provides an exotic locale that is vividly recreated by Stockwin. The perils and beauty are keenly experienced, and the adventures, both at sea and on land, are riveting. There is the mysterious warning of the Ox-eye, a reunion with a circus strongman from Kydd’s past, a reclusive French woman, and a battle in which camels and a fog-horn play key roles. Treachery and intrigue abound, leaving Kydd and Renzi, as well as readers, wondering who to trust. Conquest is thrilling adventure with high stakes that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.


(This review was originally published at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/Stockwin.h...)




View all my reviews

Review of Julian Stockwin's Victory

Victory by Julian Stockwin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


After delivering dispatches and mail to blockading ships off Brest, HMS Teazer nears England. A lookout spots a French privateer and Commander Thomas Kydd pursues. Except the enemy is not alone. The privateer lures Teazer into a trap and a French frigate swoops in to capture the English prize. It’s a nail-biting chase that drives Kydd and his crew closer and closer to France, but they refuse to surrender and when it’s over, good men and a good vessel are gone.

With many men of higher rank clamoring for ships to command and with Napoleon’s invasion fleet ready to sail any day, Kydd’s prospects of securing a new vessel are slim to none. Yet each morning he visits the Admiralty in hopes of gaining his desire. Until one day, he receives a note telling him not to return. He faces a future on half pay with no idea of where to turn or what to do, but Nicholas Renzi studies the missive’s wording and a kernel of an idea blossoms. After he and Cecilia Kydd investigate, they launch a surprise befitting a post-captain.

The relationship between Nicholas and Cecilia grows strained in the aftermath of her brother’s promotion. Nicholas doesn’t want to declare his true feelings until he publishes his book and can comfortably support a wife and family. Cecilia is miffed that he refuses to take the plunge after all his hard work. When he does, he experiences a rude awakening regarding publishing and what will and will not sell. Like dominos falling, one crushed dream results in an awareness that another must also die. At the same time, Cecilia begins to wonder if maybe she must let go of her vision for the future as well before it’s too late to have the family and home she desires.

In this eleventh book in the series, Stockwin snares the reader’s attention from the start and the realm of emotions experienced mirrors the crests and troughs of waves during a storm. Other books depict the Battle of Trafalgar, but his use of a midshipman to witness Admiral Lord Nelson’s death resurrects the sorrow and devastation felt then in a way that makes these feelings just as palpable two centuries later.

Equally acute is the opening battle with the two French ships. There’s an immediacy that transports the reader to Teazer’s deck to experience the confusion, the wreckage, the smells, and the sounds that mark the hell that the Teazers undergo, as well as the grief Kydd senses as his beloved ship sinks. Just as profound is Renzi’s shock and dismay that his magnum opus may never be published and the realization he must grapple with as to what that means for his future with Cecilia.

“Victory” is defined as overcoming an enemy, of succeeding in an endeavor against great odds. This novel depicts victory on many levels, in different ways, and with profound passion. It also demonstrates the price that victory, or Victory, must pay in order to triumph over evil. This is a voyage not to be missed, one that will haunt the reader long after the last page is turned.


(This review was originally published at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/Stockwin.h...)




View all my reviews

Review of Paul Weston's Weymouth Bound

Weymouth Bound: Jack Stone, seaman, and the French naval plot to strike a mortal blow against England during the Napoleonic Wars by Paul Weston

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Jack Stone has a dream. He wants to be a sailor, to travel the seas in search of adventure. His father, a fisherman and smuggler, wants Jack away from the dangers of illegally trafficking goods. To that end, he arranges for Jack to apprentice for seven years with the captain and part owner of the Cicely, a merchant ship that carries cargo from one port to another.

May 1800 finds Jack learning the ins and outs of Cicely and seafaring. With the keen eyes of a youth, he often finds himself aloft as lookout. He gets on with most of the crew, but the one man to steer clear of is the mate, Dennis Vasey. Rumor has it that he frequents opium dens and he’s got a temper. His father is part owner of the ship, so the captain cannot fire him. Nor does Vasey do much even when he is aboard.

One evening, while the rest of the crew is ashore, Jack remains aboard. He’s aloft watching the stars and the area around the ship when he spies Vasey nearing the ship. His movements are furtive, as if he doesn’t wish anyone to know he’s around. Terrified of the mate after almost dying because of one of his orders, Jack remains hidden. Soon after Vasey comes onto the Cicely, he’s joined by a stranger. He’s even more scary, especially since he wears a coat of the Royal Navy and has a scarred scalp. Jack knows he should tell the captain, but he holds his tongue. Doing so turns out to be extremely dangerous, not only for the crew, but also for England. Jack is the only one who can remedy his silence to warn his homeland and the king before it’s too late.

Weymouth Bound is an alluring tale that slowly weaves its spell on the reader. Although written for adults, even young people will enjoy Jack’s ingenuity and courage as he gets far more adventure than he craves, some of which is nerve-wracking and tense. Readers who enjoy nautical tales of accidents at sea, revenue agents, privateers, and shipwrecks will enjoy this first volume in a new trilogy written by a merchant seaman.


(This review was originally published at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/adult-hist...)




View all my reviews

Review of Len Travers's The Notorious Edward Low

The Notorious Edward Low: Pursuing the Last Great Villain of Piracy's Golden Age by Len Travers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


While on a shake-down cruise, HMS Greyhound patrols the waters south of Long Island. She is a sixth-rate warship under the command of Captain Peter Solgard, and he is getting a feel for his new crew. On 10 June 1723, the lookout spots two sloops. Aware that a notorious pirate is loose in these waters, Solgard attempts to trick the scoundrels into thinking his is a merchant ship. Edward Low and his men take the bait, but soon discover that this time there will be no prize and only some will escape with their lives.

The goal of this book is to sift through the old myths that surround Low to determine whether he really was as brutal and ruthless as he has been portrayed in various historical accounts, including newspapers and Captain Charles Johnson’s A General History of Pyrates. The author feels that much of Low’s life has been based on rumors and gruesome imagination, so he reexamines and questions what we know about this pirate using unpublished primary source material found in the United Kingdom’s National Archives. He also evaluates “how British Crown authorities used the Royal Navy and new anti-piracy laws to reclaim a measure of authority over North American colonies that attained a worrisome degree of autonomy.” (xiv)

Black-and-white illustrations and quotations open each chapter. Maps and diagrams are also included, as are end notes, a bibliography, index, and four appendices (Low’s Articles of Agreement in 1723, Solgard’s report to the Admiralty, the prisoners Greyhound captured and what happened to them, and excerpts from a minister’s diary).

Travers begins with an examination of pirate history in the Americas, starting with the buccaneers, and shows how they went from being acceptable associates of colonists to criminals who needed to be brought to justice. The brunt of the book discusses Edward Low’s life and how even if he was a sadistic pirate, this was not how he began life or even his piratical career. Like much of pirate history, he evolved and changed. Born in the 1680s, Low eventually made his way to Boston where he got a job, married, and raised a family. Events in his life altered that reality and, in time, set him onto the irreversible path of piracy.

Travers offers readers a thought-provoking, riveting examination into the realities of piracy in colonial America and how the agendas of different people affected what appeared in print about Edward Low and his piracies. The author poses questions and evaluates what is and is not included in such contemporary accounts as Philip Ashton’s narrative of his time as one of Low’s captives. Those seeking a compelling look into the reality of one man’s descent into a criminal life and how the truth was sometimes manipulated to make him a poster child for evil should read The Notorious Edward Low.


(This review was originally published at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/Travers.html)



View all my reviews

Review of J. D, Davies's Tyranny's Bloody Standarad

Tyranny's Bloody Standard: An epic Napoleonic naval adventure by J. D. Davies

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


In February 1794, Philippe Kermorvant and some of his men escape from the English prison hulk where they are imprisoned with the help of an American. Once back on French soil, Philippe is given command of Le Torrington, whose slowness earns the thirty-eight-gun ship the nickname of English Tortoise. It takes luck and ingenuity to elude a British warship hunting them, and while they succeed, they and the rest of the French fleet end up blockaded within the port of Île Sainte-Marguerite.

Orders arrive summoning Philippe away from his ship to a rendezvous at an inland tavern. There, he meets with a general who advises him that he is to accompany an emissary to Corsica. The purpose is to gain permission for the French navy to use the island as their base of operation in the Mediterranean, and the man Philippe is to meet, General Leandre, has personally requested him. Equally surprising is the emissary, a young woman who seems an odd choice to carry out this mission. What perplexes Philippe is why he has been tasked with this assignment and why would anyone want the bones of Christopher Columbus?

Meanwhile, back in England, spymaster Lord Wilden is perturbed that his French-American cousin, Philippe Kermorvant refused his overture to spy for the British. A mob rioting for fair wages attacks Wilden’s coach and kills his driver. He blames the French for the attack because their Jacobin ideas are infecting Englishmen. He vows to make the enemy pay, and to that end, he sets in motion a collision between his cousin and the man who slew Philippe’s wife and son.

Thibauld de la Porte is a young aspirant aboard Philippe’s ship. He comes from a family whose men have long fought in the army, but he chooses to follow a different path and enlisted in the navy. He pens letters to convince his father that he has made the right decision. Initially, he is pleased to be aboard Le Torrington, but little incidents make him think that perhaps his enigmatic captain may be the British mole within the Marine Nationale. When an incident involving the Knights of Saint John on Malta embarrasses the young midshipman, he also blames the captain for his disgrace and wants vengeance.

Tyranny’s Bloody Standard focuses on a little-known period of history when King George III of Britain also ruled Corsica. Some readers may find there’s a bit too much rehashing of past events in this second book in the Philippe Kermorvant Thrillers, but Davies spins a tale of intrigue, superstition, murder, and vendettas that introduces readers to a young Horatio Nelson and Napoleon Bonaparte. (Neither man is mentioned by name, but their descriptions leave little doubt as to each man’s identity.) A fair portion of this tale takes place on land rather than at sea, which is inevitable since it unfolds principally from a French perspective and the French fleet spends much of the war with England penned up in port because of the Royal Navy’s blockade. A riveting duel at sea does take place between Le Torrington and an Italian warship during a gale that keeps readers guessing and on the edge of their seats. Equally compelling are witnessing the psychological effect cowardly behavior has on someone and the inability to come to the aid of a merchant vessel attacked by Algerine corsairs because France and Algiers are at peace.


(This review was originally published at Pirates & Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/JDDavies.h...)




View all my reviews

Review of Julian Stockwin's Invasion

Invasion by Julian Stockwin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Having cleared his name, Thomas Kydd returns to his beloved Teazer albeit with a new first lieutenant who is reliable but neither ambitious nor innovative. Orders return them to the coast of France to search for enemy vessels. These are to be destroyed or taken in any way possible, for Napoleon is preparing to invade England and the Royal Navy is the country’s first line of defense. Upon encountering an enemy escorting a British prize, Kydd attempts a night boarding to retake the ship. The unsuccessful bid results in Nicholas Renzi, Kydd’s longtime friend and ship’s clerk, to suggest an alternative. The risk is high, but Kydd takes the chance. The result makes Admiral Saumarez realize that Kydd and Teazer are needed elsewhere where they can be used to better effect.

Kydd’s new orders assign him to Admiral Keith’s Downs Squadron, situated near the English Channel and close to the action. A brief meeting with his commanding officer makes it clear that on this station, Kydd’s first duty is to destroy the enemy no matter what. First, though, he must learn exactly what he faces and how dire the situation is for his country. This takes him to London where he becomes privy to closely guarded information about Napoleon’s plans and capabilities, as well as English plans to thwart the invasion. The newspapers are also rife with rumors of all sorts of strange inventions that the French emperor will use to achieve his goal of conquering England. Kydd’s secret meetings reveal that anything, even the most preposterous idea, may indeed be possible. Before long, he discovers the reality of this and the dilemma it poses to the way naval wars are fought.

During this time, Kydd returns home to visit his family. The experience makes him realize just how much he has changed since he first departed Guilford as a wigmaker. He decides if he wishes to go any further in his career, he must reenter society. To that end he hires a special tutor to turn him into the gentleman he must be to hobnob with those with power and influence.

Renzi, on the other hand, is summoned to a secret tête-à-tête to which not even Admiral Keith is privy. He is asked to participate in the negotiations for a prisoner exchange, although this is merely a cover for his real purpose. The cartel ship will get him into France and while there, he is tasked with finding an inventive American and persuading him to work for the English, whom he detests, instead of Napoleon. Otherwise, Renzi must kill him.

This tenth installment of the Kydd Sea Adventures provides a rousing fresh perspective about the invasion threat that England faced during the Napoleonic Wars. Stockwin draws the reader in with danger and possibilities and then clearly shows the personal struggle that seamen faced as new ideas threaten duty, morality, and traditional rules of engagement. Woven into this excellent tapestry are elements of everyday naval life, such as the savagery of sea combat and hand-to-hand fighting, searching for an AWOL crew member, and edge-of-your-seat lifesaving gambles. At the same time, readers glimpse life in Paris during the war and what it’s like for an enemy to openly walk the streets there. Equally compelling are the scientific inventions that are introduced, the conflicts they arouse, and how personal experiences can be melded with new ideas to provide alternative ways of achieving goals. Along the way, readers meet such historic people as Robert Fulton, William Pitt, Admiral Keith, and Captain Frances Austen (Jane Austen’s brother). Invasion is a thought-provoking experience filled with exploits to interest fans of historical fiction, nautical fiction, and even steampunk.


(This review originally appeared at Pirates & Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/Stockwin.h...)




View all my reviews

Review of Des Ekin's The Lionkeeper of Algiers

The Lionkeeper of Algiers: How an American Captive Rose to Power in Barbary and Saved His Homeland from War by Des Ekin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


When the American Revolution ended, the United States gained its liberty from Great Britain. It also lost its protection. As a new nation, America believed in free trade, but the Mediterranean Sea was a dangerous place for sailors and those vessels without protection were fair game for the Barbary corsairs. On 25 July 1785, the Maria was bound for Boston when a xebec captured the merchant ship off the Portuguese coast. The Algerine corsairs stripped the six men of all their possessions and forced them to board the xebec. The first American to do so was eighteen-year-old James Leander Cathcart. Taken to Algiers, he and the others became prisoners and slaves, forced to do their kidnappers’ bidding or face punishment and possible death while they waited for their ransoms to be paid. Cathcart was assigned to the palace gardens, where one of his responsibilities was tending to the lions who frequently managed to get out of their cage.

Today, Cathcart’s name is virtually unknown. He survived nearly eleven years in captivity, and during that time, he went from a lowly gardener and lionkeeper to chief clerk at the palace. He had an ear for languages and an insatiable curiosity. When combined with his ability to network with others and to work the system, he would achieve this most powerful position to help both his fellow countrymen survive horrendous conditions and to keep peace between Algiers and the United States.

This is not a biography of Cathcart, although Ekin does include information about what happens to the various participants in this story of human trafficking following the release of the American hostages. Nor is it simply a story of Cathcart’s time as a Barbary slave. It is also a story of Algiers and of the other captives who experienced this tragedy, as well as what happened to the folks at home and the political maneuverings on both sides to either gain the ransoms or the captives’ freedom. Within these pages, readers meet Isaac Stephens, captain of the Maria, and his wife, Hannah, who found herself evicted from their home and forced to put herself and their children to work to survive during his captivity. Or Scipio Jackson, an African American sailor who endured not only enslavement but also racism. Or Yusuf Rais (Captain Joseph), who started life in Algiers as a slave, converted to Islam, and kidnapped others. Or Charles Logie, the British counsel, who whispered in the dey’s ear that American ships were fair game for his corsairs, and who pretended to offer shelter to American officers only to treat them as no better than servants. Or Captain John Lamb, who somehow ended up being selected to parley for the American captives but was the most ill-suited man for the job. Or Sidi Ali Hassan, who some deemed insightful and savvy while others found him unpredictable and ambitious. He had one goal in life – to become dey, and he was ruthless enough to have members of his family killed to gain the throne. Or Consul Mathias Skjoldebrand of Sweden, who saved the life of an American captive by paying his ransom. This book is also a discussion of corsair tactics and what life was like in Algiers as a captive slave, including psychological torture and the culture of fear which these men endured.

In his introduction, the author assures readers that this book is pure nonfiction. All details and conversations are based on primary writings, but this is not a book intended for scholarly research. Instead, Ekin writes for the lay audience interested in learning more about little-known, but important, episodes in history. He includes a center section of black-and-white portraits, charts, and scenes of Algiers and Barbary slaves. If the book has any drawback, it is the lack of an index. Ekin does, however, include additional information and his resources in the Notes section at the end of the book. Although there is one brief recounting of a woman passenger taken from a ship, this is primarily about the men who were trafficked during this period in American history.

This is not the first time that I have read about Cathcart, but Ekin presents him in a totally different light from those other accounts. As a result, readers gain a new awareness and appreciation for this man and the experiences that influenced the rest of his life.

The Lionkeeper of Algiers is a thorough, well-rounded, and absorbing account of Cathcart and his fellow American captives and what they experienced. In the last sentence of the book, Ekin writes Cathcart’s “unique contribution to the early history of the United States has never been fully recognized and possibly never will be, but perhaps this book will help in some small way to remedy this oversight.” (221) Ekin admirably achieves this goal, providing readers with a provocative account that opens avenues of discussion and further exploration.


(This review originally appeared at Pirates & Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/Ekin.html)




View all my reviews