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 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

Latest Reviews

Raider's Wake by James L. Nelson
Fed up with Ireland, Thorgrim Night Wolf and his men go a-viking in a fleet of four longships. Their intended prizes are ships belonging to a Frisian merchant, but he's been around long enough to know how to outwit marauders. Time and again he thwarts the Norsemen's attempts to capture him, but when one trick nearly destroys Sea Hammer, Night Wolf is determined to end the chase and give the merchant his due . . . no matter what.

The Bermuda Privateer by William Westbrook
Captain of a band of misfit privateers, Nicholas Fallon arrive in Bermuda to learn that ships carrying his friend's salt have vanished and that bloodthirsty pirates with a former French navy frigate may to be blame. When a new Royal Navy captain arrives to hunt down the menace, Nico forms an uneasy alliance with him even though Nico's days in the Royal Navy make him question whether the new British commander is up to the task. Nico and his crew become the linchpin in a plan fraught with danger, especially when they meet the pirate captain face-to-face.

Echo in the Wind by Regan Walker
Wearing her brother's clothes, Joanna West goes from an earl's sister to the local smuggling agent. She's certain no one on board her new partner's ship sees through her disguise, but the captain remains in the shadows. He has his suspicions, but when he meets her face-to-face as her brother's hostess, he wonders if she's just bored or if there's more to his new smuggling partner than meets the eye.

The Burning of His Majesty's Schooner Gaspee by Steven Park
Before a formal declaration of war opened the American Revolution, disgruntled colonists attacked a British navy schooner patrolling coastal waters off Rhode Island in search of smugglers. Less well-known than the Boston Tea Party, the burning of the Gaspee fueled the growing unrest among Americans who wanted fairer representation in Parliament and less egregious regulation of and taxation on their maritime trade.

The History of Newgate Prison by Caroline Jowett
With the well-earned nickname of "hanging prison," Newgate has left an indelible mark in history in spite of having been demolished more than a century ago. Among its more famous inhabitants were Robin Hood, William Kidd, and Daniel Defoe. This book recounts its history, what its inmates endured, and how the English penal system evolved from the Middle Ages to the opening of the 20th 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.

© 2002-2009 Cindy Vallar

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