Cannibals and Carnage: Thrilling Tales of the Sea (vol.1)

In the 19th century, Europeans, North Americans, and colonials were fascinated by true stories of cannibal tribes massacring white traders and missionaries, which were depicted in 'sixpenny romances' as acts of desperate men committing unspeakable atrocities. The more atrocious the atrocities, the more exotic the locations, and the more sensational the narratives, the greater was the thrall of these thrilling tales of the sea.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 07 October 2019
Publisher: The History Press Ltd

In the captivating nineteenth century, a series of captivating true stories emerged, painting vivid pictures of cannibal tribes engaging in massacres of white traders, missionaries, and even each other. These tales, fueled by morbid curiosity and moral unease, captivated audiences across Europe, North America, and the colonies. The accounts of cannibalism committed by seafarers on their deceased shipmates, particularly those who resorted to eating their fellow sailors, sent shivers down the spines of land-bound individuals, heightening their sense of moral discomfort. These acts of desperation and unspeakable atrocities showcased the depths of human cruelty and the primal instincts that drive us to extreme actions. The warring frenzy of cannibal headhunters, their relentless pursuit of human flesh, and their gruesome feasts were the stuff of real-life 'sixpenny romances,' rich in human butchery and adorned with treachery and terror. The more atrocious the atrocities, the more exotic the locations; the more sensational the narratives, the greater the hold these thrilling tales of the sea had on the hearts and minds of readers. These captivating stories served as a window into the darker side of human nature, reminding us of the fragility of civilization and the primal forces that still exist within us.

Weight: 368g
Dimension: 199 x 136 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780750990844