The Forgotten Slave Trade

The Forgotten Slave Trade examines the enslavement of Europeans by North African pirates between the 16th and 19th centuries. Over one million white Europeans and Americans were captured and sold in slave markets during this period. Simon Webb presents documentary evidence and first-hand accounts to reconstruct this overlooked chapter of history. The book details the routes and methods of the Barbary pirates, the conditions of captivity, and the international responses to these raids. The narrative tracks the vast scale of slavery across the Mediterranean and Atlantic, including attacks on coastal villages from Iceland to Ireland. It explores the complex diplomatic and economic relationships between European powers and North African states during this era. This work challenges conventional perspectives on the history of slavery and expands understanding of human trafficking in the pre-modern world. The book raises questions about historical memory and why certain narratives become dominant while others fade from public consciousness.

Readers describe this as an eye-opening account of a lesser-known aspect of slavery history. Many note it fills gaps in their historical knowledge about white Europeans enslaved by North African raiders. Readers appreciate: - Clear writing style and pace - Primary source citations - Focus on individual stories and accounts - Coverage of both coastal raids and larger historical context Common criticisms: - Some repetition in later chapters - Limited exploration of certain geographic areas - Occasional dense statistical sections Specific reader comments: "Documents a part of history that's been overlooked" - Amazon reviewer "Could have covered more about the Mediterranean slave trade" - Goodreads user Ratings: Amazon: 4.5/5 (248 reviews) Goodreads: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) Several readers mention the book prompted them to research more about the topic and discuss it with others, though some note it can be uncomfortable subject matter.

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• Between 1500-1800, over 1 million Europeans were captured and enslaved by North African Barbary pirates, a rarely discussed aspect of slavery history that Webb brings to light. • Many British slaves in North Africa were forced to convert to Islam, and those who refused faced harsher treatment and more severe labor conditions. • Cornwall and Devon's coastal villages were frequently raided, with entire communities sometimes being captured and sold into slavery in a single night. • Female European slaves were particularly valued in North African markets, often selling for significantly higher prices than male slaves due to their rarity and desired placement in harems. • The British government actively discouraged families from trying to ransom their captured relatives, believing it would only encourage more pirate raids and drive up the price of future ransoms.