The Sack of Panama

The maritime historian shares “an intensely engaging account” of the notorious privateer Captain Morgan and his war on Spain's Caribbean colonies (Booklist).

Captain Henry Morgan's capture of the city of Panamá in 1671 is considered one of the most audacious military operations in history. In The Sack of Panamá, Peter Earle sheds new light on the legendary raid and the man behind it. With meticulous research—including a thorough examination of the Spanish records—Earle vividly narrates the battles that made Morgan an icon of 17th century piracy.

Morgan's raid was the last in a series of brutal attacks on Spanish possessions in the Caribbean, all sanctioned by the British crown. Earle recounts the five violent years leading up to the raid, then delivers a comprehensive account of Morgan's march across enemy territory, detailing the experiences of the Spanish victims as well as those of Morgan and his crew.

The also reveals how Morgan's raid influenced the political and diplomatic hostilities between Madrid and London. With a wealth of colorful characters and international intrigue, The Sack of Panamá is a painstaking history that doubles as a rip-roaring adventure tale.