The History of Piracy
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Book Overview
Written by an eminent authority on pirate lore and literature, The History of Piracy is one of the most important books on the subject. Tracing the rise of piracy from its ancient beginnings to its ultimate demise, it leads readers down an exciting path of fortune, fame, and folly.
Within this exhaustive volume on the pirate "profession," readers will encounter an unforgettable cast of plundering characters -- eccentric, dramatic, but always human. Here are the maritime brigands who challenged even the most powerful nations on the high seas. From the Vikings to the Elizabethan corsairs to the buccaneers of the West, discover who these pirates were, what they did, and, ultimately, why they disappeared. A landmark in picaresque history, this classic provides penetrating detail on the world's seafaring outlaws, including their morals, codes of honor, and taboos. It's sure to satisfy the modern reader's enduring fascination with pirates and their lives.
Included in this edition are four maps and seventeen illustrations from the volume's original printing.
Within this exhaustive volume on the pirate "profession," readers will encounter an unforgettable cast of plundering characters -- eccentric, dramatic, but always human. Here are the maritime brigands who challenged even the most powerful nations on the high seas. From the Vikings to the Elizabethan corsairs to the buccaneers of the West, discover who these pirates were, what they did, and, ultimately, why they disappeared. A landmark in picaresque history, this classic provides penetrating detail on the world's seafaring outlaws, including their morals, codes of honor, and taboos. It's sure to satisfy the modern reader's enduring fascination with pirates and their lives.
Included in this edition are four maps and seventeen illustrations from the volume's original printing.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0486461831
ISBN13:9780486461830
Release Date:August 2007
Publisher:Dover Publications
Length:400 Pages
Weight:1.01 lbs.
Dimensions:0.8" x 5.3" x 8.4"
Customer Reviews
2 ratings
One of the better books on piracy
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
This modern reprint of a 1932 classic is an invaluable history of piracy. This book, along with David Cordingly's "Under the Black Flag" and Daniel Defoe's "A General History of the Pyrates" (Defoe was writing as Captain Johnson), are the best volumes on piracy I have yet to read. Gosse's history is lively and comprehensive.
An excellent introduction to piracy worldwide.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
Philip Gosse has written a thorough overview of worldwide piracy; concentrating, of course, in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, but including the Far East. Even three cases of female pirates are covered. The subject is described both in breadth and depth, with many "sea stories" included. The only drawback is that some famous pirates, like Jean Lafitte, receive little coverage.
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