The Robin Hood of France - The Life and Crimes of Legendary Smuggler Louis Mandrin

In the years before the French Revolution, the king allowed a massive cartel to put French markets in a chokehold. Foods like coffee and sugar were flooding in from the far reaches of European colonies, but only the wealthy were enjoying the spoils.

Until the people defied the law and laid the groundwork for a global underground. A daring smuggler became their champion, ramming a spoke in the wheels of colonial extraction and making himself the Robin Hood of France.

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Thanks to Dr. Michael Kwass for joining us on this episode. Check out his book, Contraband: Louis Mandrin and the Making of a Global Underground. 

Outlaw’s Digest is a production of KC Hysmith and Good Egg Audio, an independent worker-cooperative.