Pirates of Barbary by Adrian Tinniswood

6.5 out of 10

The Ottomans kept loose control of the port cities of Tripoli, Tunis, and Algiers.  Traditional Mediterranian powers typically had truce agreements with pirates, but the increasing number of merchant ships from Northern Europe [and later America] were fair game for harassment.  For centuries, everyone regardless of religion, nationality, and race engaged in lethally destructive violence, theft, enslavement, and hostage handling.  Ultimately, professional navies became strong enough to enforce law and order on the high seas.