Paul W. Bamford

I read for research purposes. It didn't exactly suit my needs but still had information I'd never come across before about the use of antiquated galleys to protect the southern France coastline. You hear mention of 'galley slave' as almost a joke these days, a reference to old movies and the like. The reality was something especially horrid and profoundly bigoted: most of the actual slaves aboard were Muslim, and most of the oarsmen were Protestants or other 'criminals.' The books discusses some about the ships, quite a bit about the make-up of the forced labor, and also examines the effect this lurid industry had on the city of Marseilles. The writing is very dry and academic, and by the end it starts to feel redundant.… (more)