Pirates is a
compendium of the history of high seas villainy, and
Travers focuses on
piracy
worldwide, from the Mediterranean Sea to the Caribbean to
Asian waters.
Divided
into ten chapters, the book introduces readers to “The
Pirate World,”
particularly that of the mid 17th through the
early 18th
centuries. The author discusses democracy, Africans on
pirate ships,
marooning,
women pirates, food and drink, swearing, treasure,
weaponry, cruelty,
death and
repentance. The other chapters are presented in a more
chronological
sequence:
- From
Classical to the Medieval Mediterranean
- Piracy
in
the Northern World
- The
Elizabethan
Sea Rovers and the Jacobean
Pirates
- Buccaneers
of
the Caribbean
- The
Madagascar
Men
- Death
to
the Pirates
- The
Barbary
Corsairs of North Africa
- Pirates
of
the Eastern Seas
- The
Road
to Modern Piracy
Throughout
the text, Travers incorporates primary quotations
to illustrate points where available. The epilogue sums up
points of
comparison
throughout the history of piracy. Also included are a page
of
definitions
explaining the differences between the various terms used
to denote
pirates,
more than one hundred illustrations and maps, chapter
notes, a
bibliography,
and an index.
Histories of piracy aren’t new, but what makes Pirates
stand out is how much
information is incorporated into 316 pages. It’s presented
in an
easy-to-read
and easy-to-follow fashion, although the text is in small
print. The
narrative
engages the reader and some illustrative quotes haven’t
appeared in
other
books. Any reader in search of a thorough, but manageable
history of
maritime
piracy will find Pirates a worthy
investment.
Review
Copyrighted ©2009
Cindy Vallar
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Pirates
and Privateers
