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 Bonnie Bookaneer's Latest Reviews

Helga Makes a Name for Herself by Megan Mayner and illustrated by Eda Kaban
Helga dreams of being a warrior. Her chance comes when her idol advertises for new crew members. But her parents aren't keen on the idea. She has chores to do and is expected to follow in their footsteps. Helga has other ideas.

What Ship, Where Bound? by David Craddock
How do ships and people send and receive messages from each other? We take this ability for granted today, but before the invention of the telegraph and wireless communications, speaking to a vessel at sea wasn't an easy thing to do. This book explores this history and technological developments from Herodotus in ancient times to today.

reviewed by Irwin Bryan

Mutiny on the Spanish Main by Angus Konstam
Once a happy ship, HMS Hermione changed when Captain Hugh Pigot assumed command. His attitude toward those who served under him and his belief in the lash caused discontent to simmer until it boiled into a mutiny. This is the history of what occurred on that fateful voyage in 1797 and what the Royal Navy did to track down the mutineers and the ship, which they had turned over to the enemy.

reviewed by Irwin Bryan

Sailing East by Baylus C. Brooks
After Woodes Rogers rid the Bahamas of pirates, the Caribbean ceased to be a prime hunting ground for pirates. Many headed east to the Indian Ocean, where the promise of riches still lured pirates in spite of the exotic locales.

Dictionary of Pyrate Biography 1713-1720 by Baylus C. Brooks
A plethora of pirates prowled the Caribbean, Atlantic, and Indian Ocean in the second decade of the 18th century. Many books provide information on these men and women, but Brooks presents them with a twist.

Timeless Treasure by MaryLu Tyndall
The pirate letters inspire hope in Lexie Cain. Perhaps they will lead her to untold wealth. Once in Charleston, South Carolina, she needs a job and help in deciphering writing that is three centuries old. Enter a handsome and wealthy professor, but trusting others isn't easy for Lexie. But when she's attacked and her apartment is vandalized, he's the one who has her back. Together they discover that someone else seeks the treasure as well and they don't care who gets in their way.

The Braver Thing by Clifford Jackman
Forever damned, Obed Coffin signs aboard a pirate ship. They are bound for a secret location, but getting there is fraught with problems, for there factions aboard who aren't happy with the articles or with some of their fellow pirates. But if Captain Kavanagh's plans bear fruit, the prize will be well worth the risks. But sometimes having too much treasure can have unforeseen consequences. And so many men crammed into a finite space can further complicate matters.

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.