Pirates: Scourge of the Seas

From Introduction: "Pirates have sailed the seven seas ever since there was booty to plunder. The earliest pirates predate the pyramids and piracy still flourishes today in unstable regions of the world. Yet the image that all of us grow up with is that of the eye-patched 18th century brigand, with a peg-leg and a parrot perched on his shoulder, clutching a cutlass in one hand and a treasure map in the other. This book explores the golden age of piracy, but it broadens its sights and separates they myth from the reality. If you are looking for exotic desert islands and sword-wielding desperadoes, they are here, but you will also learn what life was really like for the scourge of the seas: what motivated them, what kept them together, the hardships they had to endure, and the adventures they sought. Chapter one traces the beginnings of piracy in the eastern Mediterranean and its development through the 19th century. Piracy has never been straightforward; the boundaries of its morality and allegiances are often blurred. One nation's hero is another nation's pirate criminal. Many pirates plundered 'legally' in the name of their countries; others were innocent victims captured by pirates and forced into a life of crime. Some pirates were gentlemen who showed mercy to their captives; others were ruthless psychopaths who showed no quarter and brutally tortured and killed all those who were unfortunate enough to fall into their hands. The second chapter explores real life aboard a pirate ship; it also looks at the unhappy fate of a regular sailor and shows why so many men were tempted into piracy. The social structure of a pirate ship was clearly defined; pirates were a much more loyal and disciplined bunch than legend has given them credit for. The pirate code of conduct was honorable; pirates looked after their own and death ruthlessly with any betrayal. The harsh living conditions on board ship and the pirate crew, from captain and to powder monkey, are brought vividly to life, as are the tortures that were meted out to those who transgressed, or to victims who refused to yield up their treasures. Chapters 3 & 4 throw you into the thick of battle, describing the tactics and weapons used by pirates, as well as their clothes, flags, and the ships they sailed in. The final chapter is a rogue's gallery of over a dozen notorious pirate, from two 16th century Barbary sea dog sibling to the most successful pirate who ever lived -- a woman who terrorized the South China Sea in the 19th century. Four appendices explore pirate language, beliefs, and superstitions. Be warned that they may blow some of your preconceptions about treasure chests, hooks, peg-legs, and parrots clean out of the water. So ahoy there matey! Batten down the hatches and weigh anchor for a voyage that will shiver your timbers and stiffen your futtock shrouds right to the bitter end.