Step into the 17th century with a story of slavery, maritime adventure, and the political intrigue between West Africa’s kingdoms and the Dutch West India Company.1687. The Dutch West India Company rules over the African Gold Coast. Across the Atlantic, the plantations are crying out for cheap labor, but the supply is scarce. When the entire population of a village in the Denkyira kingdom is captured, tensions flare. Dutch, English, French and German slave traders fight over the spoils, while local tribes vie for power and do everything they can to obtain modern weapons. The result: a mire of intrigue, corruption and violence. In this hostile world, whites and blacks live distrustfully side by side, bound by greed and plagued by heat, disease and poverty. Aldemar Burghoutsz, captain of the slaver Griffin, tries to fill his holds. Slaves mean money. They are cattle.Black Cattle.Black Cattle is a gripping tale that transports readers to the tumultuous 17th-century world of Dutch colonial expansion and the transatlantic slave trade. Set against the vivid backdrop of the West African coast, the story intertwines the lives of sailors, merchants, and the enslaved with the political intrigue of powerful indigenous kingdoms.The narrative follows the Dutch slave ship Griffin as it embarks on a perilous voyage through treacherous waters and morally fraught territory. As alliances shift and tensions rise, the characters grapple with survival, ambition, and the devastating realities of the slave trade. The story captures the intricate politics of the African kingdoms and their uneasy entanglements with European traders, shedding light on the complexities of resistance, collaboration, and exploitation.Rich in maritime detail and historical authenticity, Black Cattle delves into themes of morality, resilience, and the human cost of empire. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Patrick O'Brian or Hilary Mantel, this thought-provoking novel offers an unflinching look at a dark chapter in history, exploring its far-reaching echoes through compelling storytelling.Beautifully illustrated with more than 65 black and white drawings.