You can read my full review on my Jew Wishes website. http://jewwishes.wordpress.com/

No, this is not a book about a popular theme park ride, or a book about a series of films originally based on the name of a theme park ride. It is a factual and historical book about pirates of the Caribbean…Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean.

If you are looking for a fascinating book detailing the history of Jewish pirates of the Caribbean, then this is the book for you! 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, jumped out at me in the book store, beckoning me with its visual hook.

It was an intriguing and nonstop read for me. To call it fascinating, would be oversimplifying the historically accurate book. The pages are filled with intrigue and compelling content, and intense documentation on the settling of Jews in Jamaica. From sailors and spies, to swashbucklers and rogues on the high seas, to scoundrels and scallywags, to investors and merchants, to ship magnates and buccaneers, bankers and historical figures, the book often reads like an adventure story, when in fact it is based on historical reality. Kritzler has certainly done his research, and his efforts are much more than spectacular!

I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone. It is a must-read! Even though I read the book in the book store cafe, I did order my own copy of Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean, by Edward Kritzler (from an online source…along with other books), because I feel it is a book that needs to be in my personal library. It is a book of immense historical importance. I highly recommend it to everyone! ( )

At first, Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean looks like an incredible book. Edward Kritzler tells the story of how certain Jews which fled Spain during the era of the Inquisition, went on to become involved in sea trading, exploration and in certain cases, piracy. And while it is indeed a pleasant book, filled with history, exploration, intrigue and adventure - that said, what it is not, is a scholarly work.The book is like a rainbow-sprinkled doughnut; it is highly attractive and at first tastes great, but only after you start eating it do realize it is filled with empty calories. This work is recommended to those who fancy historic tales, especially maritime and explorative narratives, but are not looking for solid history or precise scholarship.

My full review is here: http://www.alfassa.com/pirates.html ( )

This is a fun concept with a lot of fun suppositions and assumptions and an exciting subject. But the author jumps all over the place. I lost interest after 1/3 of the way. ( )