This biography of the infamous pirate Jean Laffite is a real-life, action-packed adventure; the inspiring, illustrated true story of the Jewish pirate who saved America. Since he was a young boy, Jean longed to be a pirate, and with the help of his brothers and uncle, he became one when he was just a teenager. Soon the only life he knew was on the high seas—a life full of glory, riches, disaster, and revenge. When he finally settled down in New Orleans, he managed to become a successful businessman and respected citizen, while still pirating. He even helped the United States win the War of 1812 when he alerted the U.S. government to a British plot to invade via New Orleans. With the help of Laffite and his pirates, General Andrew Jackson was able to beat back the British.
"Move over, Jack Sparrow, and make way for Jean Laffite. This well-informed narrative gives readers a sense of what was happening in the world at the time as well as what it was like to be a real pirate."
--School Library Journal
Laffite was both French and Jewish. According to the Picture Book Reviews blog, the book is an in-depth look at a little known piece of the American history puzzle! Many Jewish people had been “kicked out of Spain” in the 1700′s.
With bitterness towards Spain, a large number of them became privateers “to seize and rob Spanish ships.” At a young age, Jean and his brother Pierre were eager to capture Spanish vessels, and as soon as they were old enough, that’s just what they did. When Jean married and began to raise a family, he and his wife decided to move to France. Spanish pirates stole their ship en route to France, and left them stranded on an island, where they were eventually rescued by Americans and taken to New Orleans. Jean felt deep loyalty to the U.S. after their rescue, however, he continued to live unlawfully, avoiding taxes and selling slaves. But when he received word of an ensuing British invasion, he warned the U.S government and joined forces with the U.S. military to overcome the British during the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812. This story includes many details and events of Jean Lafitte’s life. Although he played an important role in American history, he is portrayed in the book as a hero, despite his corrupt lifestyle. The dramatic, compelling illustrations and large book size will draw readers in close as this biography, previously untold in picture book format, unfolds page by page.
Published for the 200
th anniversary of the start of the War of 1812, the first and only picture book about the infamous French and Jewish pirate,
Jean Laffite: The Pirate Who Saved America, tells a swashbuckling tale about accomplishing your dreams and exploring the world.
The storyline follows Laffite through his life as a privateer and beyond. He dreamed of becoming a pirate as a boy and began his adventure as a teenager, living a life of glory—and disaster—aboard many ships. In this tale of teamwork and patriotism, Jean’s successes reflect his family, crew, and Jewish culture. His historical footprint, alerting General Andrew Jackson and the U.S. government about the British plot to invade New Orleans, comes alive with a note in the back of the book that will appeal to educators and history buffs alike.
Filled with cinematic illustrations, this is a lively look at a significant moment in U.S. history. Jean Laffite: The Pirate Who Saved America, will inspire and astonish children, an audience fascinated by pirates—especially pirates who are heroes.
Below is an excerpt from the author, Susan Goldman Rubin:
Resource material is scant on details of Jean Laffite’s day to-day life, so I used other sources about pirating at that time—how ships were attacked and boarded, and what clothing pirates wore. I did find articles and books about Jean by noted scholars (one of them a rabbi!) and a recent publication on the history of Jewish pirates of the Caribbean that gave me a broader view. I also read about Sephardim, as Jews originally from Spain and neighboring countries are called. In the fifteenth century, they were forced to convert to Catholicism, but they secretly practiced Judaism. These were Jean’s ancestors. Spaniards gave them the insulting name Marranos (pigs). And this is why Jean hated and targeted the Spanish ships.
After saving New Orleans, Jean and his buccaneers moved to Galveston Island, Texas, in 1817 and set up a new pirate kingdom. One of Jean’s captains mistakenly attacked a Mexican ship carrying cargo that belonged to American merchants. So the American government ordered Jean and his men to leave Galveston. It is said that before Jean sailed away he threw gold bars and jewels into the sea, and buried more treasure on the beach. To this day, people still search for Jean’s loot…
In later life, Jean became a labor leader, active in the International Working Men’s Association. He wanted to be remembered for the good that he had done.
From 1845 to 1850, he wrote a journal in French for his grandchildren to give them “a true account” of his adventures as a pirate “with the understanding that they would not release it until one hundred and seven years” had passed. Finally, Jean had fulfilled his grandma’s wish for him to be a writer.