Pirates and Privateers
The History of Maritime Piracy

Cindy Vallar, Editor & Reviewer
P.O. Box 425, Keller, TX  76244-0425

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Subtitled “Fascinating facts about the world’s most infamous pirates,” this book does just that in an entertaining fashion. It is divided into four parts that take the reader from ancient times through the present day on an exploration of the history of piracy around the world. Part One covers popular culture, ancient history, pirates of the Middle Ages, the Spanish Main, Elizabethan Sea Dogs, and women pirates of the English Renaissance. Part Two concentrates on the Buccaneers of the 17th century, from the “thieves, naval deserters, cutthroats, runaway slaves, convicts, and religious and political refugees” who were the original buccaneers – men who smoked meat – to men like Henry Morgan and L’Ollonais. Also included are why these men turned to piracy, life at sea, and the weapons they used. Part Three discusses the Golden Age of Piracy – the hoisting of the Jolly Roger, the Pirate Round, safe havens, the proliferation of pirates during this time period, the hunters of these sea rogues, and biographies on some of the more noteworthy pirates of the age. Part Four looks at the end of the Golden Age then backtracks a bit to the rise of the Barbary Corsairs and how a young nation defied the custom of the time to topple these pirates. Asian piracy concludes this section. Appendices include a glossary, resource list, and reenactment groups.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Pirates is one of the most complete introductions to pirate history on the market today. The format allows for quick reads without bogging down with too many details. Headings and subheadings, as well as the two tables of contents, the index, and “The Least You Need to Know” at the end of each chapter, make it easy to locate the information you seek without reading the book from cover to cover. Pirate yarns, dead men’s tales, knowing the ropes, and treasure chests enhance your reading experience with stories, quotes, definitions, and undiscovered gems. Black-and-white illustrations allow you to better grasp the topics covered. The publisher uses a good-sized print and lots of white space to make the journey easy on the eyes. The author acknowledges a few minor errors – such as the perpetuation of the myth that the Laffites were blacksmiths – but hopes these will be corrected in future editions of the book. In no way, however, do they diminish from this voyage upon the high seas, and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Pirates should adorn the shelves of all pirate libraries.

Buccaneer Trends and the Truth About Pirates
(NPR radio interview with Gail Selinger)

Book Review Copyright ©2006 Cindy Vallar

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