Pirates and Privateers

There is no frigate like a book to take us lands away. ~ Emily Dickinson

Avast there! The Bookaneer sails the High Seas 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 the latest reviews to access specific sections.

A special note to authors and publicists

More than two decades ago, I began reviewing books for Appraisal: Science Books for Young People, The Book Report, Library Media Connection, and School Library Journal. Later, I reviewed books online for Ivy Quill Reviews and Simply E-Books. Today, I review historical novels and history books for Historical Novels Review, Discovering Diamonds, and Goodreads.com, and piratical and maritime fiction and non-fiction for Pirates and Privateers. If you would like me to review your latest pirate or maritime book, please contact me. ~ Cindy Vallar

The Traitor of Treasure Island by John Drake
Continuing the "Flint and Silver" series, this book divulges the truth about what really happened on Treasure Island. The traitor's may surprise you. (Reviewed by Irwin Bryan)

For God and Glory by Joel Hayward
An analysis of Vice Admiral Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson's style of fighting war, as well as what he thought about the enemy and the role religion played in his life.

The Royal Navy 1793-1800 by Mark Jessop
How did the British Royal Navy become a superpower? How did the changes in Europe impact and affect both the navy and her people? These are the questions Jessop attempts to answer as he explores the Royal Navy in the last decade of the 18th century.

The Second Gate by Brian Wyvil
What if the French had won the Battle of the Nile instead of Horatio Nelson and the Royal Navy? A French Canadian teaching assistant travels back in time to help the French in hopes of changing the future and finding her mother who disappeared many years ago. Two university students are determined to stop her, but hastily laid plans almost always go astray, especially in a region at war where pirates often prowl. They also seek their professor who hasn't been seen since he was found badly wounded in his office.

Fata Morgana by Thomas J. Radford
With their ship destroyed and their captain dead, skipper Nel Vaughn languishes on Vice and Loveland Quill intrudes into her oblivion. Violet is gone, and both blame themselves. Then a ghost from the past arrives with startling news that spurs them into action.

Life of a Smuggler by Helen Hollick
Who, what, when, where, and why? These questions and more are explored in this fact and fiction exploration of smuggling, particularly in the past.

The Pirate World by Angus Konstam
Explore history's pirates from ancient times to present day. Travel around the world to pirate haunts. Learn what life was like for those who went on the account. Then visit some fictional pirates.

Pirates and Privateers in the 18th Century by Mike Rendell
Using mini case studies, the author sifts through fact and fiction to present the Age of Buccaneers and Golden Age Piracy, as well as privateering, from the perspective of those who lived during the eighteenth century.

Additional Reviews

Books for Young Pirates

Books for Pirate Apprentices and Young Adults

Books for Adults - Fiction

Books for Adults - Non-fiction

A special note to readers

The United States Federal Trade Commission has issued new 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 don't. 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. Sometimes I add these free review copies to my personal library collection. Other times I 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.