This book is about a small part in the vast history of the Jewish people. This is an incredible book with many fascinating characters their intrigue, exploration and adventure. The author focuses on the Jewish pirates as well as the legitimate Jewish seamen (such as pilots, navigators, etc.) since, let's face it, there is a reason you never heard of Jewish pirates - there weren't that many.
Actually, "legitimate" might not be a good word since at that time many pirates were state sponsored (they were called "privateers").

The storyline follows the Sephardic Jews (those expelled from Spain and Portugal during the Inquisition) who tried to find a place in the New World and spans several centuries. Of course, once they settled in a place where no one wanted to settle, made it flourish and succeeded beyond anyone's wildest dreams the Kings of Christendom sent out the Inquisition under the guise of "holier than thou" to convert the heretics (in the process confiscating and splitting their businesses and possessions 50/50 with the Crown) and let the Diaspora cycle start over.

One of the most fascinating characters in the book is Samuel Palache, the "pirate rabbi," who grew up in the mid-1500s in Morocco and was a formative Jewish leader, a rabbi, an advisor to the Sultan, a diplomat and, of course, a pirate. The book is sprinkled with details about Jewish life (Palache had a kosher chef on his pirate ship) from both the Old and New Worlds especially in Jamaica (the author's home) and Amsterdam.

My problem with the book is that it offers very authoritative historical statements, without any proof. For example the part where the author tells us about "King Solomon's trading post", which is only a theory since that there is no proof that Jews lived in Spain (Sephard) during the reign of King Solomon; or that Columbus' had a hidden agenda which was to find the Sephardim Jews a place to live free from the terror of the Inquisition - again - no proof of that whatsoever except that the Colón (Columbus) family allowed Jews to live at the island they owned and did not allow the Inquisition to set a foothold at said place.

Another issue I had is the editing. Some words are italicized, other words which fall in the same category (such as foreign words) are not and the same is true with capitalization. Maybe it's just me because English is my second language and those things simply stick out at me like a sore thumb.

Nevertheless, this is an enjoyable book and I learned a lot about a fascinating chapter in the Jewish history. Just beware that you'll be getting a book about tangled and colorful adventures of the high seas but not a solid history book. ( )

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. ( )