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Pirates: The True and Surprising Story of the Pirates of the Caribbean
Piracy is an act of robbery or criminal violence at sea. Those who engage in acts of piracy are called pirates.
The era of piracy in the Caribbean began in the 1500s and died out in the 1830s after the navies of the nations of Western Europe and North America with colonies in the Caribbean began combating pirates.
In the early 18th century, a number of the great pirate captains, including Edward "Blackbeard" Teach and "Black Sam" Bellamy, joined forces. This infamous "Pirating Gang" was more than simply a thieving band of brothers. Many of its members had come to piracy as a revolt against conditions in the merchant fleet and in the cities and plantations in the Old and New Worlds.
Piracy flourished in the Caribbean because of the existence of pirate seaports such as Port Royal in Jamaica, Tortuga in Haiti, and Nassau in the Bahamas.
Inspired by notions of self-government, they established a crude but distinctive form of democracy in the Bahamas, carving out their own zone of freedom in which indentured servants were released and leaders were chosen or deposed by a vote.
The era of piracy in the Caribbean began in the 1500s and died out in the 1830s after the navies of the nations of Western Europe and North America with colonies in the Caribbean began combating pirates.
In the early 18th century, a number of the great pirate captains, including Edward "Blackbeard" Teach and "Black Sam" Bellamy, joined forces. This infamous "Pirating Gang" was more than simply a thieving band of brothers. Many of its members had come to piracy as a revolt against conditions in the merchant fleet and in the cities and plantations in the Old and New Worlds.
Piracy flourished in the Caribbean because of the existence of pirate seaports such as Port Royal in Jamaica, Tortuga in Haiti, and Nassau in the Bahamas.
Inspired by notions of self-government, they established a crude but distinctive form of democracy in the Bahamas, carving out their own zone of freedom in which indentured servants were released and leaders were chosen or deposed by a vote.
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Published August 22, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 30, 2020
Patrick Auerbach’s delightful account of the pirates of the Caribbean in the early 19 century, which is hailed as the Golden Age of Piracy, is for readers of all ages whose curiosity about these buccaneers is prompted either by the popular Disney movie installments of “Pirates of the Caribbean “ or Robert Louis Stevenson’s timeless novel Treasure Island. Auerbach’s lucid descriptions and elegant way of narration engages the reader in the history of these infamous sea marauders with telltale details of the piracy and the crew based on a wide variety of resources, including Captain Johnson’s A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pirates published in 1724 and other relevant historical record. This light volume of Pirates will render the reader a new viewpoint on piracy that comes in surprising twist of myth and legend in instructive as well as entertaining fashion.
The Golden Age of Piracy (around 1716 to 1726) descended upon the open seas as a consequence of the end of the war of the Spanish Succession that begot a great number of unemployed able-bodied seamen turning into pirates in the business of plundering at sea. Although these jobless seamen had no alternative but becoming pirates to make a living, there were others who were captured from ships and forced into signing the articles under duress that stipulated fair distribution of the loot acquired from any plunder. Some of notable clauses of the articles set forth that (1) every man shall keep his watch night and day; and at the hour of eight in the very evening shall retire from gaming and drinking in order to attend his respective station; and that (2) no man shall open or declare to any persons or person his identity or any personal information. In fact, the articles are promulgated by captains based upon their own experiences by working under harsh commands on board naval/merchant ships to create a better life for all at sea to prevent the crew from causing a mutiny against their captains, who were democratically selected by the crew’s votes. Ironically, the society of pirates was indeed freer from the despotic ruling of the powers that be on land, and it was this democracy of pirate regime that attracted many experienced seamen into piracy.
Pirate ships were commonly known as privateers, commissioned by the government of their country or wealthy merchants (especially and notably the British) to attack and raid enemy ships in times of war by carrying letters of marquis served as legal proof , a license to steal. These privateers were most prevalently seen in Bahamas because it was a base for pirates with a harbor to o shallow for any intervening force might enter and harass them. On board these ships, the hierarchy of pirates was reasonably strict in the necessity of each following status and role:
Captain: democratically selected and ousted at any time; needed to be able to provide enough money to the crew lest they would bring about a mutiny.
Quartermaster: nearly on the same level as the captain; played a role of cop; also elected; acted as bookkeepers and accountants.
Sailing Mater: “the navigator”; an officer in rank; very valuable “worth his weight in gold.”
Mate: higher position than a sailor; a term used to signify that a person was under training
Sailor: the rest of the crew
Auerbach provides the reader with many an interesting tidbit of popular imageries related to piracy. Take “Polly Roger,” a white skull and crossbones image on a black flag associated with a pirate ship promoted by movies. Pirate ships usually and traditionally raised a solid black (signaling there would be no blood if a captured ship abandoned resistance) and red flag (death upon resistance). Then how did this image of Jolly Roger come about? It was used by the Knights Templar and later adopted by the Knights of Malta, who were also renowned pirates ultimately popularizing the flag as the emblem of piracy in later period. With respect to the pirate life on board, it was much better than on merchant or warships. Although rats were rampant and a range of food limited to salted pork and hard tack, pirates were obliged to do all kinds of chore and to spend their time for singing, playing cards, dancing or sleeping. Turtles were a specialty because they could live longer aboard, hence were a precious source of protein in the form of soup. When pirates landed on Caribbean islands, they usually ravished hot spicy West Indian dishes and drank themselves in beer, rum, and gin.
Overall, this is a comprehensive overview of piracy and pirates during the early 17th century in the Caribbean with fresh information on the subject matter succinctly put together by well-categorized chapters and the summaries at the end of each chapter to help the reader absorb the content lucidly. It will also be an excellent primer on the subject in the historical context of the era in case the reader wants to pursue his/her genuine curiosity about the subject matter in the quest of the legendary treasure buried by the pirates of the Golden Age.
The Golden Age of Piracy (around 1716 to 1726) descended upon the open seas as a consequence of the end of the war of the Spanish Succession that begot a great number of unemployed able-bodied seamen turning into pirates in the business of plundering at sea. Although these jobless seamen had no alternative but becoming pirates to make a living, there were others who were captured from ships and forced into signing the articles under duress that stipulated fair distribution of the loot acquired from any plunder. Some of notable clauses of the articles set forth that (1) every man shall keep his watch night and day; and at the hour of eight in the very evening shall retire from gaming and drinking in order to attend his respective station; and that (2) no man shall open or declare to any persons or person his identity or any personal information. In fact, the articles are promulgated by captains based upon their own experiences by working under harsh commands on board naval/merchant ships to create a better life for all at sea to prevent the crew from causing a mutiny against their captains, who were democratically selected by the crew’s votes. Ironically, the society of pirates was indeed freer from the despotic ruling of the powers that be on land, and it was this democracy of pirate regime that attracted many experienced seamen into piracy.
Pirate ships were commonly known as privateers, commissioned by the government of their country or wealthy merchants (especially and notably the British) to attack and raid enemy ships in times of war by carrying letters of marquis served as legal proof , a license to steal. These privateers were most prevalently seen in Bahamas because it was a base for pirates with a harbor to o shallow for any intervening force might enter and harass them. On board these ships, the hierarchy of pirates was reasonably strict in the necessity of each following status and role:
Captain: democratically selected and ousted at any time; needed to be able to provide enough money to the crew lest they would bring about a mutiny.
Quartermaster: nearly on the same level as the captain; played a role of cop; also elected; acted as bookkeepers and accountants.
Sailing Mater: “the navigator”; an officer in rank; very valuable “worth his weight in gold.”
Mate: higher position than a sailor; a term used to signify that a person was under training
Sailor: the rest of the crew
Auerbach provides the reader with many an interesting tidbit of popular imageries related to piracy. Take “Polly Roger,” a white skull and crossbones image on a black flag associated with a pirate ship promoted by movies. Pirate ships usually and traditionally raised a solid black (signaling there would be no blood if a captured ship abandoned resistance) and red flag (death upon resistance). Then how did this image of Jolly Roger come about? It was used by the Knights Templar and later adopted by the Knights of Malta, who were also renowned pirates ultimately popularizing the flag as the emblem of piracy in later period. With respect to the pirate life on board, it was much better than on merchant or warships. Although rats were rampant and a range of food limited to salted pork and hard tack, pirates were obliged to do all kinds of chore and to spend their time for singing, playing cards, dancing or sleeping. Turtles were a specialty because they could live longer aboard, hence were a precious source of protein in the form of soup. When pirates landed on Caribbean islands, they usually ravished hot spicy West Indian dishes and drank themselves in beer, rum, and gin.
Overall, this is a comprehensive overview of piracy and pirates during the early 17th century in the Caribbean with fresh information on the subject matter succinctly put together by well-categorized chapters and the summaries at the end of each chapter to help the reader absorb the content lucidly. It will also be an excellent primer on the subject in the historical context of the era in case the reader wants to pursue his/her genuine curiosity about the subject matter in the quest of the legendary treasure buried by the pirates of the Golden Age.
July 13, 2023
This was a fun little read
August 16, 2024
3.25
This was easily digestible, nice intro to the history of pirates, bite sized information. This wasn’t boring, wasn’t dry.
I did have a problem with the chapter Were All Pirates Men? So obviously this book won’t give all the information ever so it talked about Anne Bonny and Mary Read. And Calico Jack. I know that the trio share a history and are always associated together but this was a Calico Jack chapter. Barely anything on were woman pirates or Anne or Mary.
This was easily digestible, nice intro to the history of pirates, bite sized information. This wasn’t boring, wasn’t dry.
I did have a problem with the chapter Were All Pirates Men? So obviously this book won’t give all the information ever so it talked about Anne Bonny and Mary Read. And Calico Jack. I know that the trio share a history and are always associated together but this was a Calico Jack chapter. Barely anything on were woman pirates or Anne or Mary.
September 15, 2022
Cliffs notes for Pirates
Reading this brings to mind Cliffs Notes from back in school. You get a brief overview of pirates, but in a way, too much in such a short book. This would be a multiple read book or a read, think, digest, continue for each subject. Oh and pictures for the boats, maps of pirate activities.
Reading this brings to mind Cliffs Notes from back in school. You get a brief overview of pirates, but in a way, too much in such a short book. This would be a multiple read book or a read, think, digest, continue for each subject. Oh and pictures for the boats, maps of pirate activities.
February 28, 2018
It's a good if slightly basic book on pirates. Interesting information on different ships.
Good if slightly basic book on pirates. Interesting information on different ships. Still an interesting and easy book to read.
Good if slightly basic book on pirates. Interesting information on different ships. Still an interesting and easy book to read.
May 31, 2022
Very brief overview and thus short on detail, but had some interesting information on different types of ships and weapons used as well as a useful overview over different roles performed by members of pirate crews.
October 23, 2025
A fun, quick read
Easy, quick read offering a pretty decent overview of the history of Caribbean pirate history. It is short on depth but still an interesting read. Does a good job of dispelling some cultural myths about piracy.
Easy, quick read offering a pretty decent overview of the history of Caribbean pirate history. It is short on depth but still an interesting read. Does a good job of dispelling some cultural myths about piracy.
February 9, 2017
Quick guide
Nice, short review or introduction of famous pirates. Great explanation of different ships, weapons, and roles aboard the ships, as well as general timelines for each.
Nice, short review or introduction of famous pirates. Great explanation of different ships, weapons, and roles aboard the ships, as well as general timelines for each.
February 20, 2017
Enjoyable and I will go on and read more indepth about Blackbeard.
May 26, 2017
Informative and interesting
A exciting text book that gives the real context to all the various swashbuckling stories that I have read and enjoyed
A exciting text book that gives the real context to all the various swashbuckling stories that I have read and enjoyed
January 11, 2022
Fact Based
This is a great factual book, but I was hoping for more stories and high seas adventures. I learned more than I could have expected in a stylistic way. Fun read.
This is a great factual book, but I was hoping for more stories and high seas adventures. I learned more than I could have expected in a stylistic way. Fun read.
January 21, 2024
Ok book. Limited information.
February 14, 2016
Fun and breezy reading
Enjoyable and entertaining book which provides information in a breezy and enlightening manner.
You will really like reading this book
Enjoyable and entertaining book which provides information in a breezy and enlightening manner.
You will really like reading this book
May 19, 2016
Interesting info
Easy story style, informative facts about the life and time of the Pirates golden age. Clears up a lot of Hollywood bologna.
Easy story style, informative facts about the life and time of the Pirates golden age. Clears up a lot of Hollywood bologna.
February 23, 2021
I got this book on Audible. It wasn't the worst thing, but not the best. I did learn some things that I didn't know, and it passed the time okay.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews