Maritime History

Under the Black Flag- The Romance and the Reality of Life among the Pirates

5 stars (Fascinating Overview on the Life & Times of Pirates of Old ) - Most people think of pirates as romantic anti-heroes. I sure do, having been fascinated by pirates since I was a little girl. In the nonfiction book UNDER THE BLACK FLAG, author David Cordingly debunks the pirate myth to tell us what real 17th and 18th century pirates were like: uneducated, drunken seamen who were very young and very violent. Writing in a clear, easy-to-read style, Cordingly explores pirate life (mostly within the Caribbean), from historical raids to shipwrecks, pirate loot, and executions. There's even a chapter about female pirates. I found this entire book fascinating, and read it as quickly as I would read a fiction novel. Moreover, I often stopped to read aloud certain passages to family members, just because the passages were so interesting and full of historical significance. For instance, I had no idea that pirates sacked Panama or that an earthquake completely destroyed Port Royal in Jamaica, a big-time pirate hang-out. The most popular passages, however, were the descriptions of exceptionally nasty (yet curiously inventive) means of torture carried out by sadistic pirate captains on their poor victims. You have to read it to believe it! Anyway, UNDER THE BLACK FLAG is quite an eye-opening experience. It's history and adventure and fascinating biographies all rolled into one. Highly recommended! 4 stars (very interesting) - Good book, would buy it as a gift for a young person or a casual reader. Not to academic, but not to kiddie either. Lots of interesting info on the real deal of pirates. Worth the money. 3 stars (Interesting Subject But Poorly Organized) - My favorite part of the book was the afterword, which quickly summarized the book's main theme - the difference between the reality of pirate life and the romantic mythology created by books, plays and movies. There are many other interesting topices covered. For example, the difference between b...
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