The pirates (The Seafarers)

In the legacy of the excellent "Vikings" and "Armada" from the same Time-Life "Seafarers" series, "Pirates" presents a well-researched, richly illustrated, engaging, and balanced portrait of the piracy of the late Middle Ages and Industrial Revolution. Little information is to be found on either ancient (e.g., Greek, Turkish) or modern (e.g., South China Sea) piracy. (We therefore avoid some particularly nasty, bloody facts, such as that pirates convicted by Turks were slowly flayed alive.) Your favorite characters are here--Blackbeard, Black Bart, Stede Bonnet, etc. (the females seem conspicuously absent, albeit)--along with absorbing, eye-catching sidebars investigating vessels, weapons, customs, flags, coinage, punishments, and so forth. Numerous myths are dispelled, and the author offers even-handed, apolitical coverage of the topics he has chosen to explore. Notably, the author strives to present the world of the pirate from both the villains' and the government officials' viewpoints. Through all, one discerns that pirates contributed rather more to the march of mankind than one might suspect offhand, to wit: their democratic principles; their means and methods of organization; even their indirect influences upon the development of the navies of the civilized world. The book is handsomely produced; not overly long or deep, reaching to 200 pages or so; and should make an excellent gift for the older student or the armchair sea dog. Angus Kostam's "The History of Pirates" (I know not of the newer version co-authored by Cordingly) is also a solid work--of similar scope, albeit less weighty of initial affect, thanks to its paperback binding--but, what if offers by way of glossier appearance and richer color, it makes up for by lack of depth of treatment. Aye, the twain be reasonably well matched, matey, but Botting's book rates the nod, ye scalawag! Ar, Jim Boy, Ar! (The stereotypic "Ar, Jim Boy, Ar" reminds me of the funniest sight gag I've ever seen. I believe it was an "In Living Color" episode [perhaps "David Letterman," come to think of it] wherein a pirate--replete with patch over one eye and parrot perched on one shoulder--is spouting "ar, ar, eye, ee, ar." The camera zooms outward to reveal--THE OPTOMETRIST'S OFFICE! The pirate is READING AN EYE CHART with "R R I E R" in the top row! The doctor presently asks the pirate to try the other eye, whereupon he switches the patch to his other eye and starts on "ar, ar, ..." again. I almost split my sides laughing!)

"The Pirates" commences an intricate 22 volume series called The Seafarers, by Time-Life books. I have more of an interest in pirates than naval history, but this book was so well researched that I will make time to read a few other titles in this series, including "The East Indiamen," (ships that play a large role in this history of "The Pirates"); "Fighting Sail"; "The Men-of-War"; and "The Vikings." The book begins with a short essay focusing on Defoe's tales. Following this are seven woodcuts of pirates: Henry Every, Edward England, Stede Bonnet, Charles Vane, John Rackam, the Bartholomew Roberts, and Howell Davis. What better way to whet the readers' gnawing appetite? Most of the six chapters are preceded by an essay that focus on the dazzling details of the pirates' lives including the ships, the treasures, and the pirates' obscene ports. Two essays stood out as they were accompanied by extraordinary illustrations. The ships are laid out in front of the reader with amazingly detailed paintings by John Batchelor, ranging from flagships to the intimidating but exquisite East Indiaman. The essay entitled "A brawling lair for a lawless breed" contains four immense two-page drawings by Richard Schlecht depicting the lives of pirates relaxing among scarlet women and traders; the refitting and conversion of a newly acquired vessel; and a fantastic battle between two ships. Douglas Botting, the author, squeezes as much as he can in the slim 187 pages. He goes through the history of the pirates, from when they slowly appeared to the surge of popularity among maritime thievery, finally giving brief but detailed biographies of many famous pirates, including Henry Every, Captain Kidd (who is correctly recognized here as a privateer-gone-bad), Edward Teach (no introduction necessary, I hope), Howell Davis who mentored "the greatest pirate of the Golden Age," Bartholomew Roberts, and more! Botting weaves their tales through the political backgrounds, their (close) associations with American politicians and English royalty. Noblemen's distinguished lifestyles and respectability were either fortified or annihilated by their greed. The late 17th/early 18th century was teeming with hypocrisies that would later nourish some of the most exciting Hollywood films centuries later! (Naturally, period authors were already romanticizing all things piratical by this time.) Botting's writing is far from dry, and he keeps this volume as tight and exciting as it is enlightening. With enough black & white and color illustrations, sidebars with photographs of ledgers (seeing a pirate's real handwriting gave me more shivers than any tales of hanging could), and fun quirky tales and trivia, "The Pirates" comes off as an adventurous historical novel that makes a great introduction to the true but still romantic era. The book is not long, and I recommend reading it before pursuing past and present novels (e.g. Daniel Defoe and George MacDonald Fraser) to g

A hard cover Time-Life educational book, I think it is out of print now but well worth tracking down a used copy. It may be the best reference book on pirates there is. This book is like a walk through a pirate musuem. Simply loaded with photographs, illustrations, diagrams, and paintings (some spread across two pages) of scenes and goods from the real pirates including weapons, ships, maps, and more. There are period accounts from those that dealt with pirates and knew firsthand of their behaviour, diet, ships, culture, and methods. The book also discusses those that pursued the pirates to justice. A comprehensive discussion of pirate flags, and treasures lost. Information on islands and colonies frequnted by the pirates. Also has biographies on many infamous pirates including Sir Henry Morgan, Walter Kennedy, Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, Edward Low, Henry Every, Stede Bonnet, Emanuel Wynne, Jack Rackam, Christopher Moody, Edward Teach, Bartholomew Roberts, and many others. Includes a rare mention of female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read. Oversized format, nice black hardcover with gold gilt lettering, looks like leather but its not. I recommend to all persons interested in pirates at any age.

I've been around, and studying pirates is a favorite pastime of mine. This book is the best I've been able to find! The only problem is it's out of print. This book contains many pictures, including ships, paintings from the pirate era, old maps, coins, and letters. It contains very very factual and articulate information, alot of which is straight from the horse's mouth (accounts from people captured by pirates) about pirates, the time era, the weapons they used, the ships they used, the ships used against them, the association between them and the US colonies, and several life stories of pirates including Edward Teach, Bartholomew Roberts, and the pirate king Sir Henry Morgan. The book is well organized, and it's packed from cover to cover, waisting little space where pictures or information can be placed. I recommend this book for anyone interested in pirates for any reason.

this is an incredible book of pirates.cool pictures and graphics.if there is another book this cool on pirates i want to know about it so i can buy it.i have never seen a book on pirates like this.collectors item.everyone who loves history should have a book on pirates.i cherish mine