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Reviewed by Gabriel Santos for Readers' Favorite
Stories of piracy and sea warfare never fail to excite people's imaginations and have been the subjects of countless works of fiction and non-fiction, but we often underestimate the impact of pirates and their connections to significant historical events. In particular, the transatlantic slave trade served as the backdrop for the Golden Age of Piracy and saw the rise of figures such as Bartholomew "Black Bart" Roberts, who forced the mighty British Empire to do whatever it took to take him down and establish safer trading conditions. Black Bart's defeat at Cape Lopez heralded the beginning of the end for the Golden Age of Piracy and massive shifts in the slave trade and slavery as an institution, with long-lasting consequences. This context is the main focus of Angela C. Sutton's Pirates of the Slave Trade. The book offers a detailed account of the key persons and events surrounding the Battle of Cape Lopez and its implications; it combines scholarly research, storytelling, and social commentary to deliver a compelling journey through history.
Whether explaining the complex interplay between local African peoples, European companies, free agents, and other players involved in the slave trade or describing high-stakes raids and battles, the engaging writing keeps you invested from beginning to end. In particular, Angela C. Sutton's storytelling skills shine when writing about Black Bart, whose tale of rise and fall has enough betrayal, revenge, bold plans, and chases to rival an adventure novel. That said, you can also appreciate the rich historical analyses, discussions of sources, and observations throughout the chapters, especially the insights into how we can trace ideas and attitudes about race back to the slave trade and colonial interests. Overall, Pirates of the Slave Trade is a must-read for interested audiences and history buffs.
