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Synopsis
Investigates the fascination pirates hold over popular imagination, taking the fable of ocean-going Robin Hoodsailing under the "banner of King Death" and contrasting it with the muderous reality of robbery, torture and death, and the freedom of a short, violent life on the high seas. Using previously undiscovered material from British Admiralty records, the book charts 250 years of piracy, from Cornwall the Caribbean, from the 16th century to the hanging of the last pirate captain in Boston in 1835.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A really well written book which explores the reality & myths surrounding piracy. This book concentrates on the piracy from the late 16th century onwards (for a period up to & including the early part of the 19th century).Inside, chapters entitled "A Nation Of Pirates", "The Buccaneers" , "War Against The Pirates" & "The Golden Age Of Pirates" (to name but a few) explore the different types of piracy (state sanctioned & outright criminal) perpetrated by a variety of nations & their subjects.
The link between piracy & imperialist ambition is well explained & the role of the great navies of the world in first encouraging (or at least turning a blind eye to pirate activity) & then hunting down & attacking the pirates, as views on piracy (particularly amongst the establishment) changed is fascinating.
This book is not a romantic vision of piracy, the author himself admits to siding with the forces of "law & order" but even so, this distinction was at times blurred, as privateers wreaked havoc with the blessing of those same legitimate forces & institutions.
From the Barbary pirates to those of Northern Europe, featuring the likes of Captain Kidd & Henry Morgan, this is a journey through history on the high seas.
A well written attempt to go beyond the fables & tall tales, in order to look at the real history behind this period of piracy. The author has made good use of historical sources (particularly Admiralty records of the time) to produce an entertaining & yet very illuminating book.
The link between piracy & imperialist ambition is well explained & the role of the great navies of the world in first encouraging (or at least turning a blind eye to pirate activity) & then hunting down & attacking the pirates, as views on piracy (particularly amongst the establishment) changed is fascinating.
This book is not a romantic vision of piracy, the author himself admits to siding with the forces of "law & order" but even so, this distinction was at times blurred, as privateers wreaked havoc with the blessing of those same legitimate forces & institutions.
From the Barbary pirates to those of Northern Europe, featuring the likes of Captain Kidd & Henry Morgan, this is a journey through history on the high seas.
A well written attempt to go beyond the fables & tall tales, in order to look at the real history behind this period of piracy. The author has made good use of historical sources (particularly Admiralty records of the time) to produce an entertaining & yet very illuminating book.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Peter Earle is an academic (London School of Economics, University of London) and it shows. This is a scholarly overview of piracy as an occupation across two-and-a-half centuries. Themes and trends are examined, an even-handed approach is adopted. From the outset Earle sets out to remove the romance from piracy. He suggests, for example, that the very small numbers of female pirates lead to an assumption of widespread homosexuality - hardly the Hollywood pirate image.
But, in truth, it makes for heavy reading. The printed page is different from the lecture hall; at times the author seems not to have expressed his ideas in the most fluent prose. Careful revision might also have removed some of the repetition.
This may well be a book for serious students. For the casual reader there are more racy accounts that are still based on good historical research. Try Pirates of Barbary by Adrian Tinniswood or A Pirate of Exquisite Mind by Diana and Michael Preston, excellent books both.
But, in truth, it makes for heavy reading. The printed page is different from the lecture hall; at times the author seems not to have expressed his ideas in the most fluent prose. Careful revision might also have removed some of the repetition.
This may well be a book for serious students. For the casual reader there are more racy accounts that are still based on good historical research. Try Pirates of Barbary by Adrian Tinniswood or A Pirate of Exquisite Mind by Diana and Michael Preston, excellent books both.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A thoroughly entertaining read that does exactly what it says on the tin by seperating fable from fantasy. Luckily the truth is every bit as interesting as the fiction. I learnt much from this well written book. Highly recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Interesting Subject matter spoiled by authors rambling style.
I persevered with this as I was interested in the subject matter, but in the end it was a disappointment. Read more
Published on 28 Aug 2009 by Dick Pearson
A Fantastic Read
Separating the pirate truth from the pirate myth both sounds and is a mammoth task to execute, but Peter Earle somehow, through some magical literary genius-ness that was... Read more
Published on 10 Dec 2008 by Will Stent
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