Pirates and Privateers

Avast there! The Bookaneer sails the high sea in search of books of interest to pirates young and old. Feel free to browse the latest reviewed titles or click on the links below to access reviews of specific genres and subjects.

A special note to authors and publicists

Since 1993, I've been reviewing books for a variety of publications. Initially, those publications included Appraisal: Science Books for Young People, The Book Report, VOYA, Library Media Connection, and School Library Journal. Later, I reviewed books online for Ivy Quill Reviews, Simply E-Books, and Discovering Diamonds. Today, my reviews appear in Historical Novels Review and Goodreads.com.

At Pirates and Privateers, I review fiction and nonfiction books for children or adults. These volumes primarily deal with piracy, privateering, navies, and the maritime world. Most stories and histories are set in the past prior to 1900, although I occasionally venture into more recent times and future scenarios. Pirates and Privateers is open to submissions, so if you would me to consider reviewing your latest book, please contact me.

The Bookaneer's Latest Reviews

The Pirate Rabbi
by David Sherrin
illustrated by Barbara DiLorenzo
Deciding what to be when a child grows up can be a hard decision. For Sam, he has two favorites. He can become a rabbi like his father and help others. He can go to sea and be a pirate. Sometimes, a good deed provides unexpected opportunities, and helping someone as a child allows Sam to pursue both dreams. (Based on a true story.)
(Picture Book)

Charles Johnson's General History of the Pyrates and Global Commerce
by Noel Chevalier
Anyone interested in piracy has read Johnson's book, which has been in print ever since it was first published three centuries ago. We probably think of this as historical contemporary volume that tells the stories of some of the best-known pirates of the early 18th-century. We also are aware that the author mixes fiction into the facts. What if we examine the book from a different perspective -- that of a literary work? Chevalier does this, allowing us to view these pirates and the book in a new light that not only enriches our understanding of the pirates but also the period in which they lived.
(Art, Music, Poetry, & Stories) (History: Piracy)

Captain Ogle's Cup
by Robert Blyth
Among the many pieces in the National Maritime Museum Greenwich is a special cup. It belonged to a pirate hunter who was instrumental in bringing about the downfall of a notorious pirate. In the process, that downfall also signaled the end of an era.
(History: Navy (United Kingdom) & History: Piracy)

Buried Treasure
by Robert Blyth
This collection on maritime piracy offers a little bit of everything: history, biography, pirate speak, pirate life, and much more. Quiz yourself. Quiz your friends. What's true? What's false? And if you're up for a challenge, try Polly Roger's tongue twister. For old and young pirates alike.
(History: Piracy)

The Bookaneer's Treasure Chests of Reviews

Books for Young Pirates
(picture books)

Books for Pirate Apprentices
(chapter, middle grade, young adult books)

Books for Adult Pirates ~ Fiction

Books for Adult Pirates ~ Nonfiction

A special note to readers

The United States Federal Trade Commission has issued guidelines for online reviewers, which include disclosing to you that publishers, publicists, and authors send me review books and media for free. Sometimes I request these review copies; sometimes I do not. In either case, I am free to choose whether or not I publish a review of these items, although the sender hopes that I will do so. After I have read these submissions, I add the free review copies to my personal library collection, donate them to libraries or other worthy causes, or use them as prizes I award to contest winners. If anyone wishes to know what I did with a specific title reviewed here, I'll be happy to disclose that information.

Copyright © 2022 Cindy Vallar



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