Exploring the history of smuggling around the world, Alan L. Karras traces all aspects of this pervasive and enduring crime. Through a compelling set of cases drawn from a rich array of historical and contemporary sources, Karras shows how smuggling of every conceivable good has flourished in every place, at every time. The author also sets smugglers-the ultimate free traders-in the context of the global political economy, where they are tightly woven into an uneasy relationship among governments, taxation, and corruption. Bringing smugglers and smuggling to life, this book provides a fascinating exploration for all readers interested in crime and corruption throughout modern history.