Olafur Egilsson

In 1627 Algiers slavers came to the southern shores of Iceland to take whatever they could get, over 200 people were captured and sold into slave labour. Reverend Olafur watched as his son was sold at a slave market before being forcible separated from his wife and two very young children and sent to collect a ransom from the Danish king.

Translated from archaic Iceland into modern English this is his account of his travels back to Iceland from North Africa. Its brief (not every page made it to the present) and as it's mired in grief, urgency and lack of money it isn't an enthusiastic travelogue. Plus its continously but understandably interrupted with much praise to his God (Christian). It is interesting though for a view into slaves & ransom and for a description of 17th century Europe. Also because of what he doesn't or cannot bring himself to say there is an added emotional weight to the tragedy. As a bonus the book also contains maps of the journeys and terribly sad, hopeful letters home from slaves waiting to be ransomed

All in all an interesting look into into the almost unthinkable tragedy of slavery but has a downside as this book seems only to be available in Iceland!… (meer)