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
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> 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
At the end of the fifteenth century, the Spanish Inquisition forced many Jews to flee the country. The most adventurous among them took to the high 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. JEWISH PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN is the entertaining saga of a hidden chapter in Jewish history and of the cruelty, terror, and greed that flourished during the Age of Discovery. Readers will meet such daring figures as "the Great Jewish Pirate" Sinan, Barbarossa's second-in-command; the pirate rabbi Samuel Palache, who founded Holland's Jewish community; Abraham Cohen Henriques, an arms dealer who used his cunning and economic muscle to find safe havens for other Jews; and his pirate brother Moses, who is credited with the capture of the Spanish silver fleet in 1628--the largest heist in pirate history. Filled with high-sea adventures--including encounters with Captain Morgan and other legendary pirates--and detailed portraits of cities stacked high with plunder, such as Port Royal, Jamaica, JEWISH PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN captures a gritty and glorious era of history from an unusual and eye-opening perspective.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Who Knew? I really enjoyed this book. I have read many histories of the period (16th and 17th centuries), and the Jews generally get an historical footnote, if anything at all. What fun to read this previously unknown history of an important period in the development of Jewish identify and independence, and how the actions of a significant group of heroic Jews eventually led to full acceptance and legal recognition of the Jewish people in both the old and new worlds. Of course, it's a source of pride to learn of the... more info
Fascinating topic, dull writing I thought "Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean" was quite poorly written, but I slogged through it because the subject matter was so interesting. There's great history here. Too bad the author couldn't put some life in it.
Passionate and new The writing style for this book perfectly matches the topic. It is clear bold direct simple and modest, with a hidden passion. The excitement comes because the author knows and so does the reader, that this is all secret buried history, coming to light for the first time in this book. It is what makes it breathtaking
Great Book, one I actually lived through... I can't believe how great is Ed Kritzler's book. Why you wonder? Reader, I married him long ago. He worked so hard on this book and it's wonderful, readable, a must for anyone interested in Jewish history. As his ex-wife you might find it strange that I think so highly of it. But Eddie, as we call him, deserves every bit of praise he is getting. Because do you know anyone who worked over 25 years on a book? I don't! And the result? He's got a winner and his daughter Eliza and I couldn't be more proud... more info
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