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! I stumbled upon it quite by chance when looking in the “Jewish” section of a book store. The title immediately caught my eye! It stuck out like a neon sign on the book shelf. 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, beckoning me with its visual hook. I couldn’t believe the title…it almost seemed preposterous and absurd to me.

I promptly proceeded to buy a coffee and scone, and then sat down and began reading the book. I returned the next day, and I finished the book. It was an intriguing and nonstop read for me. To call it fascinating, would be oversimplifying the historically accurate book. Jewish pirates? Jewish pirates of yore? Swashbuckler Jews with swords? Oy-hoy! Ahoy Jew-matey! Who knew? Not me!

Seriously, though, I was amazed. 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!

Kritzler writes with flair, and is often poetic. Yet he doesn’t soften the issues at hand, and the reader is given an accounting of Jewish history like no other. Jews are revealed in a perspective that many of us never realized. Kritzler infuses the book with incredible details and data, some of which are little known. Not everything lies at the bottom of the sea in this book of piracy, corsairs, and even privateers.

The settling of “The New World” and the history of Jews in early America is detailed, through Kritzler’s word visuals, and content, but not extensively as he details the Jamaican history. I have read up on early America and am aware of the early Jewish settlers, and how they forged themselves in banking, politics, business, and in ethnic and religious identity. I wasn’t aware about the historical aspect of the settlement of Jamaica, especially Port Royal and the Jewish community. Port Royal’s Jews had a stronghold, and there was a large percentage of them living there, doing business and practicing their religion. Columbus is believed to have been Jewish, as many of us are aware. What I wasn’t aware of was the fact that his heirs owned Jamaica, having been deeded to them by Columbus. This book concentrates heavily on the Jamaican influx of Jews.

There were religious consequences, along with political consequences to the actions of the Jewish pirates, pirates who helped forge the diaspora. These individuals were mainly composed of Sephardic Jews who fled Spain during The Inquisition. They fought for a foothold, not only in the business, merchant and seafaring areas, but also their ability to practice their religious preferences. They wanted full religious freedom, and wouldn’t settle for less.

Each chapter is filled with intensity, and documents the horrific treatment of Jews, and the revenge that they seek. Kritzler isn’t the best writer (as far as a story line is concerned), and at times the facts can be overwhelming, but nonetheless, it is a book that spoke to me. I’m hungry for Jewish history, no matter the era. Kritzler tries to cram as much information as possible into the pages. That can be positive and/or negative, depending on your perspective. For me it was positive. I was astounded! The facts speak for themselves.

Enough of this! 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!
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Thursday June 2, 2009 – 10th of Tamuz, 5769