Book Review - Birthright: The True Story that Inspired Kidnapped by A. Roger Ekirch

Synopsis:  No saga of personal hardship so captivated the British public in the eighteenth century as that of James Annesley, the presumptive heir of five aristocratic titles and scion of the mighty house of Annesley. Kidnapped at twelve years of age by his uncle, James was shipped from Dublin to America in 1728 as an indentured servant. Only after thirteen years did he finally manage to escape, returning to Ireland to bring his blood rival, the Earl of Anglesea, to justice in one of the epic trials of the century.

How, in an age without DNA laboratories or paternity tests, could a prodigal hope to prove his identity and his legitimacy after such a long absence? Richly evoking the volatile world of Georgian Ireland—complete with its violence, debauchery, ancient rituals, and tenacious loyalties—award-winning author A. Roger Ekirch recounts an extraordinary family drama of betrayal and loss, but also of resilience, survival, and redemption.

First Line:  "The crier's elegy echoes in the bleak evening air, as the barefoot boy darts off in the direction of Christ Church."

Random Quote:  "Among other maladies, smallpox and dysentery took a heavy toll on crossing ships suffering from contaminated water, damp lower decks, and inadequate ventilation.  The stench of sewage and vomit must have been suffocating.  "There will not be much made of them," a merchant wrote of his cargo after more than half of the servants had died en route of the flu."

Review:  As always truth is at least as strange as fiction (although fiction is often more entertaining).

This book is about the true story that inspired the book Kidnapped (which is just a great, wonderful adventure story that you should read if you haven't).  The true events behind the story are pretty gripping and astounding and this book is worth the read.

An indentured servant's contract - Image via Wikipedia

Fair warning - there is lots of intricate detail about inheritance laws and family ties in the beginning, but you need it to understand the later legal battle.  For me this detail and the legal battle were the least interesting parts of the book.  Far more interesting is the story of this family, the dastardly uncle, the heir transported to the colonies, his mother misused and put out of the house, and all the hardships that followed.  This book also provides an interesting picture of Georgian Dublin and gave me a new perspective on the Protestant Irish gentry than I had had previously.

I'd like to say that everything turns out well, but it doesn't.  This is a story where no one prospers no matter their behavior.  Sad and shocking - a reminder that people have been doing terrible things to each other as long as we've been people.

Reading Challenges:  2010 A to Z Reading Challenge, 2010 100+ Reading Challenge, 2010 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge

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• Birthright: The True Story that Inspired Kidnapped by Roger Ekirch | Book review (guardian.co.uk)