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"Ekirch out-kidnaps Stevenson in this thrilling, thoroughly documented story." ―Booklist, starred review
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 and sold into indentured servitude in America, James would ultimately escape after toiling for twelve years in Delaware, returning to Ireland to bring his blood rival, the Earl of Anglesea, to justice in one of the epic trials of the century.
Set against the volatile backdrop of Georgian Ireland, historian A. Roger Ekirch recounts the extraordinary family drama that inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel Kidnapped "with dash and clarity" (Kirkus Reviews).
26 black-and-white illustrations, 3 maps
- Sales Rank: #1521931 in Books
- Published on: 2011-06-27
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 8.30" h x .70" w x 5.50" l, .54 pounds
- Binding: Paperback
- 288 pages
From Publishers Weekly
The dramatic tale of James (Jemmy) Annesley inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's Kidnapped and four other novels. Now Virginia Tech history professor Ekirch (Day's Close) presents the intriguing, complex true narrative of the 18th-century travails of the rightful earl of Anglesea. Ekirch describes young Annesley's near abandonment to the Dublin streets through the greed-induced maneuvering of his father, Baron Altham, and Altham's mistress. Upon Altham's death, Jemmy's Uncle Richard perpetuated the lie that the boy was illegitimate and, later, that he had died. In 1728 Richard had 12-year-old Jemmy kidnapped and transported to the colony of Delaware as an indentured servant. After 13 years of virtual slavery, Jemmy escaped and returned to the British Isles. His claim to gentlemanly birth was endorsed by numerous former acquaintances, but denied by a few key individuals. Eventually, his cause was championed by Daniel Mackercher, a self-made Scottish merchant who dedicated his life to the defense of Jemmy's birthright. Lengthy and sensational legal proceedings resulted in a less-than-timely vindication of the claim. Confusing because of excessive use of frequently changing noble titles, Birthright is nonetheless a fascinating read. 26 illus., 3 maps. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
*Starred Review* Ekirch, a history professor at Virginia Tech University, reanimates a crime dating back to the early eighteenth century, the crime that inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped. James Annesley, the heir to five aristocratic titles, had a startlingly hard early existence. His father, Arthur Annesley, the fourth Baron Altham, turned James (called Jemmy) into the streets of Dublin to fend for himself at the age of eight. Jemmy turned up at his father’s funeral four years later. Shortly after, his uncle had him kidnapped and shipped to Delaware, where he spent the next 13 years living as an indentured servant. The term kidnapping, Ekirch explains, originated in the seventeenth century to describe seizing a child with the intent of transporting him or her to the colonies to work as an indentured servant. Kidnapping was a misdemeanor under British common law; horse theft was a felony punishable by death. Jemmy’s escape, passage to London, and pursuit of his birthright, leading eventually to his vindication at the end of a famous criminal trial, form the backbone of this story. Annesley had to prove his identity with virtually no evidence: he had no scars or distinguishing birthmarks; written records of his birth were nonexistent; and the science of fingerprints, photographs, and DNA was far in the future. Ekirch also illuminates such subjects as the position of wives and mistresses in eighteenth-century England; the causes of the sharp rise in mortality that threatened the great peerages; and the realities of indentured servitude in the colonies. Ekirch out-kidnaps Stevenson in this thrilling, thoroughly documented story. A perfect mix of true crime and real-life adventure. --Connie Fletcher
Review
Ekirch’s book brings the story brilliantly to life and vividly reconstructs the violent and debt-ridden world in which disreputable aristocrats operated.
Ekirch's book brings the story brilliantly to life and vividly reconstructs the violent and debt-ridden world in which disreputable aristocrats operated.
Ekirch does a masterful job of detailing these events in this meticulously researched and highly readable narrative. Concisely written and well documented, this fascinating book will appeal to both serious readers and general history buffs. "
An engrossing familial and legal tale told with dash and clarity. "
Ekirch s book brings the story brilliantly to life and vividly reconstructs the violent and debt-ridden world in which disreputable aristocrats operated. "
A splendid story of low skullduggery and high politics, and Roger Ekirch deserves congratulation for disinterring it. As befits an eminent historian, his research is detailed and the evidence carefully weighed. "
More fascinating than the fiction spin-off. . . . In combining an inherently exciting tale with surprising facts, Ekirch has come up with one of the year's most intriguing history books. "
The story of Jemmy Annesley, kidnapped at 12 and shipped from Dublin to the American backwoods in 1728 by his wicked Uncle Richard, certainly recalls an early episode in the story of young David Balfour. But the tale of Annesley's picaresque adventures is excitingly dramatic in its own right and Professor Ekirch has researched it with academic relish as a real-life oddity that is no stranger than fiction. --Iain Finlayson"
This gripping book tells a remarkable true story. . . . Roger Ekirch expertly illumines eighteenth-century societies in the British colonies and the seedy underside of Georgian Dublin. His masterly, sympathetic and racy reconstruction of the adventures of Jemmy Annesley at last fleshes out the truth behind the tales told by Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. --Toby Barnard, University of Oxford"
An extraordinary work of history by one of America s most imaginative historians, a true story more fascinating than fiction. --Gordon S. Wood, professor of history emeritus, Brown University"
Most helpful customer reviews
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful.
Fascinating true story of kidnapping, greed, and corruption among the British aristocracy
By Allegra Huston
Ekirch's book tells the true story which inspired Robert Louis Stevenson to write his classic book KIDNAPPED. Truth, as often, is wilder than fiction. The heir to a title and fortune, neglected by his drunken father and vicious stepmother, is turned out to live on the streets and then kidnapped and sold, basically, into slavery. I didn't know that the indentured servants that came to America when it was still "the colonies" were often sent against their will, and in effect owned by whoever bought them on the block. Any bad behavior added to their sentence, so they were in effect sold for far longer than the seven-year term. It took Jemmy Annesley something like twenty years to gain his freedom and return to Britain to claim his title and inheritance.
The law cases that ensued, the corruption of the courts and the British rule of Ireland, take your breath away. Ekirch does a brilliant job of probing the seamy lives of dissolute noblemen, and making you feel the appalling injustice of the times. What happened to Annesley was, to some degree, normal--it was a scandal only because it involved the aristocracy. The true scandal is the corruption of the legal system and the rottenness of the society that created it--which is also the society that gave birth to the United States.
The story of this one mistreated, orphaned, abused boy, who became a man determined to reclaim what was his, becomes a gripping insight into all of 18th-century Anglo-Irish society, top to bottom. It's a terrific book. I couldn't put it down.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful.
The Ultimate Cold Case!
By Jonathan F. Remley
Ekirch's account of family lineage gone wrong is the ultimate investigation into crimes of another era. He approaches the subject matter with careful objectiveness - and the reader quickly realizes why - as just about everyone is carrying around some serious moral baggage! It's easy to root against Uncle Richard, but harder to fully embrace Jemmy as a hero worthy of our deepest sympathies. Sure enough, the outcome doesn't disappoint. I won't spoil it, but no one (except maybe the lawyers) rides into the sunset unscathed. Indeed, truth is stranger than fiction. This stuff is far more compelling than the glitzy, empty calorie crime dramas of today.
Aside from simply being a first class yarn, perhaps the most compelling reason to read Birthright is to appreciate how a top historian carefully untangles the events of the distant past. Ekirch succeeds in weaving a compelling mosaic of lives lived and events transpired almost 300 years ago. It's nothing short of amazing. Museums house the artifacts of the times, but a great historian's work is the only true portal into the collective ethos of these bygone societies. From the intricacies of the English legal system, to the weather patterns (he clearly visited all these locations!), to the time it took for a speedy horseman to convey news from Dublin to London (5 days), Ekirch has compiled an incredible piece of research and understanding. Bravo!
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful.
Compelling and Intriguing True Story
By bookworm
The story "Birthright" is a fascinating story of greed,cruelty,and redemption.
It is of such historical significance it must be told and retold to inspire us all
during these times of war,disasters, and famine. I loved the lesson learned about the
importance of hope and perseverance.
See all 19 customer reviews...
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