Unbounded Jews

Unbounded Jews is the story of Denmark's (failed) engagement and exchange with Morocco in the 18th century. The story is told through two Jewish family clans, Sumbel and Buzaglo, whose members were adventurers, cosmopolitans, merchants, and diplomats. Denmark became the first country with which the sultan made a trade and peace treaty in 1753, and Denmark played a central role in the African country's efforts to establish diplomatic relations and trade with other European countries.

The 18th century was marked by strong competition among the European powers for colonies and trade with overseas countries. The Danish king Frederik V invested heavily in trade with Morocco – both economically and militarily – but today the adventure has been forgotten. The Danish-Moroccan adventure and its dramatic human consequences add significant chapters to Jewish and Danish history. Based on Danish and a wide range of international archives, Bent Blüdnikow follows the Sephardic Jews across much of the globe to understand their motives, actions, and significance.