Florida Pirates: From the Southern Gulf Coast to the Keys and Beyond

by James Kaserman, Sarah Kaserman

Florida is largely influenced by the illicit and fascinating activites of pirates. Authors James and Sarah Kaserman recount the stories, legends, and myths of piracy in Florida.
The coast of southwest Florida, with its shallow waters, inlets, and mangrove islands provides the setting and backdrop for a variety of pirates, privateers, and independents. Piracy has a long and rich tradition in this area dating from before the formation of America through the infamous prohibition era. Telling the tales of Anne Bonny, Calico Jack Rackham, Civil War smugglers and prohibition rum runners, the authors provide a compelling narrative of the historically dangerous waters around Southwest Florida and beyond.

Genres: Nonfiction, Pirates, Crime, History

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2011

About the author

James F. Kaserman is a retired educator and businessman and served in elected public office for more than ten years. Following graduation from Washington High School in Massillon, Ohio, he earned a bachelors degree in business administration from Kent State University and a masters degree in educational administration from the University of Dayton. He was honorably discharged with the rank of staff sergeant from the United States Army.
Kaserman has been a newspaper columnist and served as a teacher, coach, and administrator for thirty-six years in both Ohio and Florida. He became interested in the truth about pirates when doing research studies of government and business organizations, and concluded that pirate organizations had many similarities to the businesses of today and even served as models for our modern day democracy.

Sarah Jane (Chenot) Kaserman an educator for over thirty-five years and recently retired as a teacher of gifted students in the Lee County School District in Florida. Following graduation from North Canton Hoover High School in North Canton, Ohio, she earned a bachelors degree in Elementary Education and a masters degree in deaf education from Kent State University. A violinist and avid fiddle player, Sarah Jane arranged and played fiddle for a civil war movie, The Miracle Men. She also travels the country and plays old-time, folk, and bluegrass music. She belongs to a Florida acoustic folk group entitled, The Lee County Fiddle Support Group as well as other groups throughout the year. Sarah Jane and her grandfathers fiddle, Charley can be found at all presentations the Kasermans put on regarding their series of pirate novels.

Together, they have combined their years in education with the vision of writing multi-sensory books and have written many elementary Accelerated Reader books that may be purchased through http://www.isaveatree.com They also have written three pirate novels, Gasparilla Pirate Genius, The Legend of Gasparilla, A Tale for All Ages; and, How the Pirates Saved Christmas. Each of these novels won awards and were good sellers.

They have been happily married since 1966 and are the parents of two sons, Richard and James, grandparents to James Hunter and Reed Samuel, and have lived in Fort Myers, Florida, since 1985 moving from their native Ohio.

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Reviews

[Riley Moffatt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book because it was at my job so it was something for me to read when there was nobody in the room. It was so boring and I feel poorly researched. I did not fact check every single thing in the book but the few things that I did fact check did not seem accurate, which is not great. Even if it were well researched, it felt very repetitive, which is impressive for a book that is so introductory. It generally casts a wide overview of pirates in Florida, but at times felt like it ran out of info and so had to start repeating stuff or talk about things only vaguely relevant. I’m not sure I’d really recommend it.

[Ryan Thornton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does exactly what it says it does. It is a short history of pirates operating in, and around, Florida (with a few extra notable pirates that help set the stage, such as those that kidnapped Julius Caesar.) it’s easy to read and, based on the other books I’ve read, fairly accurate though I’m not an expert.
It never felt dry and the content always felt engaging and relevant.
I read it in 2 days (about 50 pages one day and 50 another.)
The main criticism I have is it is perhaps a bit too introductory. It could have gone more in depth in a few places though I think it ultimately achieved the goal it set out to achieve.
I would recommend this for people who don’t know much about pirates or to kids middle-high school aged.
Really anyone that likes pirates but if you have a few books under your belt this will likely be more of a refresher than much new information.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a very easy read. The writer had to dig a little to get enough information. I found it to be more of an introductory read, or possibly a follow up if you are wanting just Florida Pirates as the book describes. It by no means is a bad book and I do recommend it. It remains in my library.

[EnglishTeacherFL · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and interesting book

[Coleen Dailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good review of pirates who operated in the area as I get ready for vacation and pirate museums

[Josh Liller · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is quick read providing a short history of piracy in South Florida. The author has a reasonable grasp on fact vs. fiction where pirates are concerned and takes a somewhat interesting angle of looking at the evolution of piracy beyond traditional classic pirates. However, it is a bit repetitive and unfocused, has a few mistakes, and very oddly leaves out one of South Florida's most famous very real pirates, Don Pedro Gilbert (namesake of Gilbert's Bar near Stuart, Florida).

You could do far worse for an introductory book on the subject, but otherwise I can't really recommend it.

[Joe Alain · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting brief look at the pirates that roamed the coasts of Florida.