Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean: How a Generation of Swashbuckling Jews Carved Out an Empire in the New World in Their Quest for Treasure, Religious Freedom--and Revenge
by Edward Kritzler
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Book Summary Information
Author: Edward KritzlerEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-11-03
ISBN: 0767919521
Number of pages: 352
Publisher: Anchor
Book Reviews of Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean: How a Generation of Swashbuckling Jews Carved Out an Empire in the New World in Their Quest for Treasure, Religious Freedom--and Revenge
Book Review: Remarkable recounting of an unknown history
Summary: 5 Stars
I say "unknown" and one has to appreciate that the various pieces to the story were known by many people but not in this day and age. Going back to the days of Columbus and for several hundred years, it was a familiar story in the Old World. But then again, so was anti-Semetism, the Inquisition and the price Jews paid to stick around in Spain and Portugal after the edicts to convert, leave or die came into reality.
This very well documented book provides insights into the (now) unfamiliar roles that these hidden Jews lived out. I had heard of Marrano's but was unfamiliar with the similar term of 'converso'. I was astonished at how many Jews managed to not only eke out a life for themselves but in several cases managed to grow very wealthy as they expanded trade between the Caribbean islands, the new world countries (all freshly being overtaken by Europeans) and with the old homeland. Central to the focus of these hidden Jews was a burning ambition and motivation to strike back at Spain for all the pain and anguish it had caused in Europe. Not content to chasing down, exposing, torturing and killing Jews left in Europe, the Inquisition sent its agents to the New World to continue this purification process. I had the distinct impression that the precursors to the dreaded German Gestapo and S.S. were all sown in the actions of the Catholic Inquisition; all of it.
Two stories stand out for me. One is the relationship between Oliver Cromwell with the important Jewish spies he trusted in his attempts to take Jamaica. The other is with King Charles 11. Both these English sovereigns used their Jewish counsellors to great advantage to both themselves and Great Britain. The story/legend of Columbus's gold mine makes for an interesting sidebar, which winds its way throughout the book.
There was a dark side to this story, which touched some but not all Jews that lived in the Carribean. This was slavery, which they participated in, some grew wealthy through. It is my impression that this represented the minority of merchants/pirates and was not extraordinary given the times. The issue of slavery is not the main focus of this book but it does come up and is covered I felt with a fair hand.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to know more about what happened to the Jews who fled persecution in Europe, who thrived in dangerous new lands, carving their own path, often brutally, but not without just cause. I found the book a revelation and very entertaining.
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Summary of Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean: How a Generation of Swashbuckling Jews Carved Out an Empire in the New World in Their Quest for Treasure, Religious Freedom--and Revenge
In this lively debut work of history, Edward Kritzler tells the tale of an unlikely group of swashbuckling Jews who ransacked the high seas in the aftermath of the Spanish Inquisition. At the end of the fifteenth century, many Jews had to flee Spain and Portugal. The most adventurous among them took to the seas as freewheeling outlaws. In ships bearing names such as the Prophet Samuel, Queen Esther, and Shield of Abraham, they attacked and plundered the Spanish fleet while forming alliances with other European powers to ensure the safety of Jews living in hiding. Filled with high-sea adventures?including encounters with Captain Morgan and other legendary pirates?Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean reveals a hidden chapter in Jewish history as well as the cruelty, terror, and greed that flourished during the Age of Discovery.Caribbean & West Indies Books
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