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.