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meltingpenguins's review against another edition
4.0
As with [b:The Sea Rover's Practice: Pirate Tactics and Techniques, 1630-1730|8299202|The Sea Rover's Practice Pirate Tactics and Techniques, 1630-1730|Benerson Little|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466208783s/8299202.jpg|119518] very good research material, but some bits feel like the author adjusted some facts to suit his personal theories. So, good for research, but take with a grain of salt.
edencruz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
thetomatowriter's review against another edition
3.0
This was an informative, well-written book in which the author seemed maybe a little bitter that real life pirates were not like romanticized movie pirates and burdened with the obligation to disillusion the rest of the readers. Mind you, I think it's probably important that we don't forget the amount of raping that real life pirates likely did and it's important to remember that real life pirates were not egalitarian freedom fighters but in fact traded slaves themselves. It's a non-fiction book, and it's not his job to give the readers the romanticized definition.
But I don't know, I've read non-fiction books that talked about what actual Golden Age pirates were like without quite being this much of a downer. Books that didn't read as though it was the author's sacred duty to give every reader a harsh reality check but handled the material in a balanced way. There wasn't much information in here that I didn't already know, so I didn't get much from this. I did think the way he discussed pirate battles from a logistical standpoint was pretty cool, though.
But I don't know, I've read non-fiction books that talked about what actual Golden Age pirates were like without quite being this much of a downer. Books that didn't read as though it was the author's sacred duty to give every reader a harsh reality check but handled the material in a balanced way. There wasn't much information in here that I didn't already know, so I didn't get much from this. I did think the way he discussed pirate battles from a logistical standpoint was pretty cool, though.
oleksandr's review against another edition
4.0
This book takes myths about pirates and piracy and debunks them one by one. It limits itself with piracy by Europeans in 1650-1725 primarily in the Caribbean. The book is quite interesting, rich in details, with large bibliography and massive footnotes. Sometimes it goes too greatly into the details like discussing which fencing techniques and more specifically feints and hits could have been used by dueling pirates and the like. It cites a lot of fiction and film and show where they err.
The [non-exhaustive] list of myths:
- Pirates usually used black flags with skull and bones
- They used galleons as their ships and hunted galleons
- They often fought and boarded ships
- Their primary weapon is a cutlass
- They primarily hunted in the open ocean
- They were rebels
- They fought slavers
- There was a pirate kingdom
- There were female pirate captains
- There were non-white pirate captains
- There were pirate treasures
Most of these things had a grain of truth but were exaggerated out of proportion.
An interesting read for all the lovers of pirate fiction.
The [non-exhaustive] list of myths:
- Pirates usually used black flags with skull and bones
- They used galleons as their ships and hunted galleons
- They often fought and boarded ships
- Their primary weapon is a cutlass
- They primarily hunted in the open ocean
- They were rebels
- They fought slavers
- There was a pirate kingdom
- There were female pirate captains
- There were non-white pirate captains
- There were pirate treasures
Most of these things had a grain of truth but were exaggerated out of proportion.
An interesting read for all the lovers of pirate fiction.
shannasbooksnhooks's review against another edition
5.0
This was such an interesting read. Pirates have always been fascinating, but this book really helped to differentiate between the fact and the fiction surrounding these mythologized characters of history. I highly recommend it as a read.
animepops's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting read. The media has cultivated an image as gospel on what pirates were like. It should not really be a shock that they get a lot wrong when you consider the time that has passed. This book could be summed up in one phrase "Carribian Pirates = Fake News".
The author tends to ramble. At times he is all over the place. It seems sometimes he confusionally shifts from telling a fact just to dismantle it and tell another version of fact that opposes the original fact.
That being said, it is still enjoyable and packed with uncommon knowledge and theory on the subject. Most notably on how notorious pirate captains may not have been fearsome as most claim and also an interesting chapter on woman in piracy.
The author tends to ramble. At times he is all over the place. It seems sometimes he confusionally shifts from telling a fact just to dismantle it and tell another version of fact that opposes the original fact.
That being said, it is still enjoyable and packed with uncommon knowledge and theory on the subject. Most notably on how notorious pirate captains may not have been fearsome as most claim and also an interesting chapter on woman in piracy.
deearr's review
5.0
Curiosity got the better of me with this book. I wanted to know what kind of pirate myths the author planned to debunk. After all, I’ve been around long enough to have a halfway decent knowledge about pirates.
Or so I thought. Benerson Little is a recognized expert on this subject, having published four books, written magazine articles, and appeared on television commenting on piracy. “The Golden Age of Piracy” is extremely well-researched, and contains more information than I expected.
There are the stories one might expect, telling us all about Blackbeard or Captains Kidd or Morgan. There are many other captains and pirates he mentions, but more fascinating are the myths he exposes, “facts” I had grown up with and had embraced as true. I won’t spoil a good read by telling them to you, but some of the subjects include:
Buried treasure
Walking the plank
Pieces of eight, and what they were worth when making purchases
How pirates fought, and the weapons they used
Those epic sea battles between two ships
And much more!
Mr. Little entertains as well as explains, so this is not a dry read. When an answer is not clear, readers are provided with facts as the author attempts to lead us to a logical conclusion (such as the debate over why a pirate flag is called the “Jolly Roger,” as well as some of those other pirate sayings such as “Shiver me timbers!”).
Anyone with an interest in history or the golden age of piracy (1655 – 1725) should take the opportunity to read this book. Wonderfully written, generously footnoted, and complete with an extensive bibliography, this book contains a wealth of knowledge and is also a lot of fun to read. Five stars.
Or so I thought. Benerson Little is a recognized expert on this subject, having published four books, written magazine articles, and appeared on television commenting on piracy. “The Golden Age of Piracy” is extremely well-researched, and contains more information than I expected.
There are the stories one might expect, telling us all about Blackbeard or Captains Kidd or Morgan. There are many other captains and pirates he mentions, but more fascinating are the myths he exposes, “facts” I had grown up with and had embraced as true. I won’t spoil a good read by telling them to you, but some of the subjects include:
Buried treasure
Walking the plank
Pieces of eight, and what they were worth when making purchases
How pirates fought, and the weapons they used
Those epic sea battles between two ships
And much more!
Mr. Little entertains as well as explains, so this is not a dry read. When an answer is not clear, readers are provided with facts as the author attempts to lead us to a logical conclusion (such as the debate over why a pirate flag is called the “Jolly Roger,” as well as some of those other pirate sayings such as “Shiver me timbers!”).
Anyone with an interest in history or the golden age of piracy (1655 – 1725) should take the opportunity to read this book. Wonderfully written, generously footnoted, and complete with an extensive bibliography, this book contains a wealth of knowledge and is also a lot of fun to read. Five stars.
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