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The Pirate Code: From Honorable Thieves to Modern-Day Villains

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Despite what countless buccaneering books and movies may suggest, never has there been a universal Pirate Code to bind the merry (and mean) marauders of seafaring history. In fact there have been many “codes,” and drawing out their common elements into a single concept is no easy task. The Pirate Code is the first book to bring together thousands of years of pirating traditions in a clear and authoritative manner.

 

Chronicling the rules and realities of pirates’ shipboard life through the ages, Brenda Ralph Lewis explores what “honor among thieves” has really meant—whether for the pirates of the ancient Aegean, the seventeenth-century Brethren of the Coast who inspired the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, or modern-day pirates on the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Lavishly illustrated and engagingly written, this book is a must for all serious devotees of pirate lore.

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 25, 2008

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About the author

Brenda Ralph Lewis

95 books21 followers
Brenda Ralph Lewis is a writer with over 200 books on history and numerous magazine articles and television documentaries to her name. Her fascination with Scottish history and culture began early in her career and she has since returned to the subject at every opportunity. She regards [her] book on tartans as a labor of love.

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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Profile Image for Michela Cacciatore.
Author 28 books81 followers
December 1, 2025
Tematica molto interessante.
Un saggio che ripercorre in modo cronologico le vicende di pirati e corsari.
A volte si salta avanti ed indietro tra gli avventimenti e i protagonisti, cosa che non aiuta.
Avrei amato l'aggiunta di più elementi sociali, folcloristici.
Sicuramente interessante per scoprire l'argomento.

Very interesting topic.
An essay that chronologically traces the adventures of pirates and privateers.
Sometimes it jumps back and forth between events and protagonists, which isn't helpful.
I would have liked to see more social and folkloric elements added.
Definitely an interesting way to explore the topic.
Profile Image for F3t.
167 reviews12 followers
January 17, 2022
Sudah bisa dipastikan, buku sekolah tidak mengandung kisah bajak laut, kan? ☠ Oleh karenanya buku ini bisa jadi satu-satunya buku sejarah terlengkap (terbitan berbahasa Indonesia) yang khusus membahas tentang bajak laut⚓.
Tidak hanya membahas "para" bajak laut yang ada di benua Eropa, namun juga di seluruh dunia. Selain itu dijelaskan pula sistem dan kebiasaan yang banyak ditemukan di kalangan bajak laut. Kelebihan buku ini juga karena dipenuhi dengan potongan gambar yang 'WAH'. Lumayan seru juga 😁.
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"Bajak laut Wokou pertama kali muncul dalam sejarah tahun 1223, mereka menyerang Korea di sebelah utara pantai Kyushu, pulau Iki dan Tsushima." - halaman 60.
"Setelah Toyotomi Hideyoshi meninggal pada 1598, bajak laut menyerbu Asia Tenggara, termasuk Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, dan Kamboja di semenanjung Indochina." - halaman 74.

Profile Image for Jon.
20 reviews1 follower
December 11, 2013
This was a fun read. There was some fascinating historical content, as well as stories concerning individual pirates, that helped flesh out the subject.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews

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