An authoritative account of pirates focusing the classic period from around 1650 to 1725. David Cordingly wrote it, in part, based on an exhibit he cuAn authoritative account of pirates focusing the classic period from around 1650 to 1725. David Cordingly wrote it, in part, based on an exhibit he curated for a maritime museum in England called "Pirates: Fact and Fiction." Although it does not read like an exhibit book, more a genuine work of historical nonfiction, it still has some of that feel--with chapters on subjects like women pirates, pirate ships, pirate treasure, pirate islands, etc.--in each case with some sorting out of reality from fiction. It is extensively researched based on trial transcripts, contemporaneous newspaper accounts, log books, etc., with lots of very good extended quotes that provide a genuine feel. It also draws heavily on a 1722 book by Captain Johnson entitled " A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the most notorious Pyrates." It also provides detailed histories of some of the most notorious pirates, like Morgan, Kidd, Blackbeard, Bellamy and others.
One weakness of the book is that it is relatively light on context, although it provides some. Why did piracy arise when and where it did? How much was there before 1650? What were the economics of piracy? Some is explained, for example bursts of piracy following the winding down of naval wars as people sought alternative employment. Not mentioned, but presumably an important part is the flow of gold from the new world. The book is stronger on the events that led the end of large-scale piracy, in particular a series of laws passed in England from 1700 to 1720 that made it easier to capture and execute pirates, along with efforts like pardons, a more active naval engagement, and other steps that by 1725 had dramatically reduced the extent of piracy.
Piracy, of course, lived on to some degree in reality and even more in the books and movies that defined it for us to this day, many of which the book weaves in throughout--to good effect....more
A great collection of original documents about the Mutiny on the Bounty. Together they tell as good a sea yarn as any novel, complete with a Rashomon-A great collection of original documents about the Mutiny on the Bounty. Together they tell as good a sea yarn as any novel, complete with a Rashomon-like quality as two parties to the mutiny see everything in precisely opposite ways -- while agreeing on fragments of key details. There is some repetition, especially in some of the transcripts from the trial and testimonial letters on the character of Captain Bligh. This repetition, however, contributes to an almost biblical quality to the text as it lists names after names, retells the same story from different perspectives, and compiles narratives with more straightforward information.
Specifically, the items included in this volume are:
--Captain's Bligh's account of the mutiny and his 4,000 mile journey to safety in a long boat following it. Told in precise nautical terms -- dwelling less on the mutiny and more on how he survived following it and what he discovered in the process.
--A partial transcript of the court martial of the mutineers compiled with an appendix by Edward Christian, brother of the chief mutineer Fletcher Christian. This is intended to be largely exculpatory for his brother, arguing the Bligh was a borderline-psychotic taskmaster.
--A reply to the Appendix by Bligh and a short reply-to-the-reply by Christian.
--Captain's Bligh's orders and discoveries.
--An account of a mutineer captured on Tahiti and his transport back to England.
--Two news accounts of the discovery of the last surviving mutineer on Pitcairn Island in the Pacific.
--An account by "Jenny," who lived on Pitcairn Island....more
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