White Gold (edició 2005)

This is a quite startling story about which I knew next to nothing. Barbary pirates raided the coasts and ships of the seafaring European powers for a couple of centuries, taking the sailors hostage and keeping them as slaves. This takes an account of Thomas Pellow, taken when he was 12 years old and remaining a slave for the next 20 plus years. At times it gets a bit sensational and repetitive, but that's not to say that this isn't a valuable story to tell. ( )

A rather startling account of the fate of more than 40,000 Europeans captured by North African pirates and enslaved in Arab states, held to ransom, occasionally rising to positions of power, or more commonly being worked to death. That all this happened in the 1700's is no excuse for it having been lost as a story for so long.

A wonderful evocation of the white slave trade in Morocco during the 17th-19th centuries. Milton is a very good writer who brings the story of the slaves and their captors to life.

I had never heard of Moroccan ruler Sultan Moulay Ismail prior to this book but what a find! For his efforts in devising truly eye popping forms of torture, the Sultan truly deserves a lifetime achievement award at the Dictator's Hall of Fame annual dinner.

As a chap who likes to think he knows his words, I was disconcerted to find a number of words in the opening pages that were completely new to me. However, once I had quietly referred to a dictionary and then pretended I knew the words all along, the page turning qualities of "White Gold" became apparent and I thoroughly enjoyed the book, although I'd caution that only those with strong stomachs should attempt any passages dealing with the Sultan's ingenious list of tortures. ( )

Fascinating account of the white slave trade in North Africa, in the 17th to 19th centuries, centering on the experiences of Cornishman Thomas Pellow who survived 23 years in captivity, returning to England to tell his tale. Giles Milton makes full use of his sources, telling the overarching story with due reference to Thomas Pellow. It sounds horrific, it was horrific but it is a rollicking good read. ( )

I really enjoyed this yarn! The story was engrossing and the book was hard to put down. This is the first I've read of white slavery and it didn't disappoint. With a nice balance of biography and broader history the story is told in a easy reading fashion. Originally I began the book half way through - which is my wont for books I'm not sure I'll enjoy. But it was so good I forced myself to halt and begin again at the start and read again the earlier sections to ensure I didn't miss the flow. I imagine this book would be a good taster for those looking to be inspired to read further on this fascinating period.
One minor gripe: North African geography and Islamic art and architectural terms are used without recourse to a glossary or definitions. But this doesn't effect the overall flow of a terrific story.
I'd love to reflect more in depth but time doesn't permit. Suffice to say I loved it. ( )