A former slave ship, Black Joke was repurposed by the Royal Navy in 1827 and tasked with patrolling the western coast of Africa in an effort to end global slave trading. Over the next five years, the ship's diverse crew and dedicated commanders would capture more ships and liberate more enslaved people than any other in the squadron. Chronicling the adventures of Black Joke, A.E. Rooks also delves into the complex, valiant, yet imperfect efforts that were needed to abolish the international slave trade.