The Complete Idiot's Guide to Pirates

by Gail Selinger, W. Thomas Smith Jr.

A view of pirate life�from the crow�s nest …

Pirate lore has captured our fancy for centuries. Here is the first series book that gives readers a comprehensive yet entertaining history of those swashbuckling brigands. It offers portraits of such infamous men and women as Blackbeard, Captain Anne Bonny, Captain Kidd, and Jean LaFitte, with a full history of pirates through the ages, even modern day, high-tech scavengers of the South China seas. For mateys young and old.

Genres: History, Pirates, Nonfiction, Reference, Nautical

416 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2006

Reviews

[Asmita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a comprehensive lucid guide.

[P.J. Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of the third oldest profession, from the Roman Empire to the present day. Here are Vikings, corsairs, buccaneers, privateers, lady pirates, etc. Plus short bios of the more colorful pirates, such as Blackbeard and Calico Jack.

Why be a pirate? What motivated people to "go on the account"? Was it adventure? Greed? Conditions on land? What was life like on a pirate ship? What were the ranks, occupations, pay scales of crew members? What kinds of weapons did they use? How did they capture a ship? Where were their favorite safe ports for R & R? What was food like on board a pirate ship?

This book is credible and covers all the obvious angles. Some illustrations, plus index, glossary of terms, bibliography and websites. Even a directory to reenactments the reader can join!

[Jeanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of information. One of few Complete Idiots book for me.

[Emily]

Did not finish it because it was insanely boring to me. I don't know what I was really expecting but this is clearly not it. To be honest, I think if there is a Pirates for Dummies book, it would definitely be better than the Idiot's Guide, judging from Sherlock Holmes for Dummies, which I've just read recently. Nevertheless, I would give it another try when I can find the book in the library again.

[Julie Ambrose · Rating 3 out of 5]

A neat, well-organised and fairly comprehensive starter for anyone wishing to understand pirates and piracy.

I chose this book as the first of a series of reference texts for writing a novel. Despite a few typos in the ebook edition, it's been a terrific primer. Recommended for anyone wishing to begin at the beginning.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a serious love for anything pirate, and I totally hate how much pop culture has changed the pirate view. I thought I would catch up on my pirate history and read this book, and I mean I am part pirate(arghhh....):P!

[Jonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is quite informative. I love that it has so many historical tidbits that you can't or don't find anywhere else. However, because it is a book of basics, it can be hard to read at times.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

For an Idiot's Guide, this grows rather, well, boring. Still, pirates are pretty cool and all. Yup.

[Amy Hirschman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough and informative. I like the little side-notes.

[Denidevine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read if you live in my family.....very informative!

[Carolyn Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific overview of piracy from the first boat to the 21st century. Plenty of nuggets of information and things I didn't know.