Lords of the Sea

The modern increase of piracy in the waters east and south of Somalia has led some commentators to call the area the 'new Barbary'. But what of the 'old Barbary', where from around 1500 to 1800 Muslim corsairs sallied forth to capture Christian ships? For over three hundred years the corsairs of North Africa were the terror of the Mediterranean and beyond, and during that period they are estimated to have captured and enslaved more than a million Christians. An engrossing tale of piracy, maritime conquest, slavery and exploration, this colourful account will appeal to the wide audience for maritime and general history.