On the Barbary Coast

An epic 17th-century novel of captivity, power,
and Mediterranean piracy 

by John Meilink

A historically grounded novel of captivity, diplomacy, and survival in the ruthless world of seventeenth-century North Africa. Based on documented events, maritime records, and diplomatic accounts, the story brings to life the political, economic, and human realities of the early modern Mediterranean.

1678. The Dutch trader ship Sint Joris leaves the Dutch Republic in high spirits, bound for Paramaribo (Suriname) with a hold full of Schiedam gin and a handful of unsuspecting passengers. But off the Cape Verde Islands, disaster strikes: Algerian corsairs overwhelm the ship, and every soul on board is thrown into chains. What begins as a routine crossing becomes a nightmare as the Dutch disappear into the brutal world of Moorish slave markets, forced labor, and desperate bargaining for freedom.

In Algiers, envoy Thomas Hees fights a different battle. Tasked with securing a peace treaty to protect Dutch merchant ships from Mediterranean piracy, he enters a city shaped by power struggles, corruption, and political intrigue. But the English and French have the same goal—and they are willing to sabotage negotiations, manipulate rivalries, and spill blood to dominate the region’s maritime trade.

Amid shifting alliances, court conspiracies, and the crushing machinery of North African slavery, a darker threat descends upon Algiers: the Black Death, cutting down rich and poor alike and sending the city into chaos.

On the Barbary Coast delivers an unflinching portrayal of a world where diplomacy is as deadly as warfare, where survival depends on calculated loyalty, and where the line between captor and captive is thinner than anyone dares to admit. Meticulously grounded in original seventeenth-century accounts, maritime records, and diplomatic history, the novel recreates the political, economic, and cultural realities of the early modern Mediterranean world.

This is not a tale of swashbuckling pirates. It is a raw and immersive journey into a society held together by fear, ambition, and the fragile hope of redemption—a historical novel that brings documented history to life through human experience.

On the Barbary Coast (original Dutch title: In Barbarije) is the second of four standalone historical novels (Sons of Japheth Series) about the Dutch and the slave trade in the 17th century. It was first published in the Netherlands by LM Publishers in 2021. The novel is included in the literature list of the new Historical Canon of the Netherlands (November 2021), in the section 'VOC and WIC.'

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American acclaim for On the Barbary Coast:

"An immersive historical fiction novel in which survival, power, and endurance unfold across an unforgiving Mediterranean world.
On the Barbary Coast is a carefully constructed work of historical fiction that favors restraint, realism, and atmosphere over spectacle. Notably the author did an immense amount of research, weaving in a tapestry of Mediterranean cultures in a way that feels historically accurate. The novel's strengths lie in its unique characters, as well as a grounded sense of place. Landscapes, weather, and distance are not merely decorative but functional, shaping character decisions and driving the narrative forward.
The novel's descriptive style is often tangible, making you feel as if you are living in the moment yourself.
On the Barbary Coast succeeds as an alluring work of historical fiction. Loved it!"

Brittney Banning (Reedsy Discovery)

"On the Barbary Coast is a gripping and well-researched historical novel that pulls you straight into the harsh realities of the 17th-century Mediterranean world. Rather than romanticizing piracy, the story focuses on captivity, power, survival, and the complex politics between Europe and North Africa.
The writing is vivid and immersive, making the setting feel authentic and lived-in. The characters are layered and human, and the emotional weight of captivity and moral conflict stays with you long after you finish reading. It’s clear the author put significant research into this book, which adds depth and credibility without slowing the story.
This is not a light adventure, but a serious, thought-provoking read that sheds light on a lesser-known part of history. Highly recommended for fans of rich, realistic historical fiction with substance."

Ariell Phyllis Eliza (Amazon)

"With nearly 500 pages of richly textured storytelling—and editions featuring over 60 original illustrations—On the Barbary Coast is both expansive and meticulously grounded.
This is serious historical fiction: morally complex, politically layered, and deeply human. It offers not adventure, but immersion into a past where freedom was negotiable and survival depended on diplomacy as much as endurance."

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