Raiders and Rebels: A History of the Golden Age of Piracy – The True Story of Outlaws Who Defied Empires and Ruled the Seas

by Frank Sherry

“A dramatic tale. . . . Sherry brings the pirates vividly to life with his rousing telling of their daring cruises and outrageous feats. . . . I heartily recommend Raiders and Rebels to anyone who enjoys history, a tale of high adventure, the drama of human psychology, or just a rousing sea story.” —  Oceans magazine The most authoritative history of piracy, Frank Sherry's rich and colorful account reveals the rise and fall of the real "raiders and rebels" who terrorized the seas. From 1692 to 1725 pirates sailed the oceans of the world, plundering ships laden with the riches of India, Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. Often portrayed as larger-than-life characters, these outlaw figures and their bloodthirsty exploits have long been immortalized in fiction and film. But beneath the legends is the true story of these brigands—often common men and women escaping the social and economic restrictions of 18th-century Europe and America. Their activities threatened the beginnings of world trade and jeopardized the security of empires. And together, the author argues, they fashioned a surprisingly democratic society powerful enough to defy the world.

Genres: History, Pirates, Nonfiction, True Crime, Adventure, Crime, Biography

400 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1986

Reviews

[Fred Klink · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is history that reads like a novel. Frank Sherry divides the story by time period and geography with each chapter dealing with a major figure from the "Golden Age of Piracy" (1692-1725). He relies heavily on "A General History of the Pyrates", believed to have been written by Daniel De Foe in 1724. However, other sources are used and the book is extensively footnoted.

The author's premise, for which he makes a good case, is that the rise of piracy was a response to the increasing tyranny and class distinctions imposed by the monarchies of Europe. The pirates felt themselves to be "free" and that such freedom was worth the risk of imprisonment or death. He makes a compelling case that piracy represents the first stirrings of the ideals of individual freedom and the natural rights of man that led to the American and French revolutions later in the century. But even without the interesting political theory, the book is a stirring tale of remarkable men (and women), whose short piratical careers are still part of both our history and mythology.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very rich and detailed history of piracy, which is only enhanced by the author's skill in eloquent writing. I cannot recommend this book enough for lovers of non fiction on a subject that is bereft of real truth thanks to Hollywood. This book doesn't disappoint in intrigue, but also delivers facts alongside that make it so much more interesting than the modern interpretations of pirates.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a great story about pirates. If you lived back then, wouldn't you want to be a pirate?

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating, if opinionated look at the high point of piracy in the Caribbean and the far East. Mostly a social and cultural history of pirates, it is an easy and interesting read, interspersed with quotes and images to give color. By no means a definitive history, it's a fun read for anyone who loves pirates, and/or the British navy.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

About 1/3 through, and I'm enjoying the factual treatment of the book--as well as the historical background included that points out how poorly most regular sailors were treated and paid in the time of pirates. Sets a good stage for why people became pirates, though I'm waiting to find mention of the female pirates known to have plied the seas.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this on and off and am most intrigued by the contrast in writing between this book and other, more utopian based books on piracy. This book does a nice job of discussing social and economic factors that contribute to piracy.

[more · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bandits or not, criminals or not, these pirates lived bravely. "If men are denied the chance to live in freedom, they will make their own freedom" This is exactly what these men did. The world they lived in then is definitely a different one from the world we live in now.

Indeed they might have been the scourge of the earth that needed to be expunged, but who can deny that these boys and men wasted no time in being in absolute charge of their own destinies. What else would you call a man who stares death in the face and doesn't ever surrender if not brave?

[Jeff Ranger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I *loved* this book. It's not often that what us basically an academic text is written in such a fun and engaging manner.

I started reading it just to see the author's perspective on the Caribbean Golden Age of Piracy, and was almost entirely unaware of the (fascinating) East African/Indian Ocean history.

Just a stellar book.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

While dated and somewhat to reliant on the perceived veracity of A General History of the Pirates (which Sherry firmly ascribes to Daniel Defoe, a theory that has since been rather convincingly rebuffed), this narrative history is nevertheless an informative, engaging, and quite interesting read for those intrigued by its topic.

[Michael Brantley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is researched in depth and I can't imagine how long the author worked on it. With that said, he took care to make sure it was a good read, interesting, and plenty of scenes wrapped around facts. He handles the part where speculation is required quite well. Fascinating book I will be making a permanent spot for in the home library.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book!!!! I devoured it. Probably the best historical book I have ever read. Written like I would like all historical books written, I cannot recommend this book enough. Sheds light on how the golden age started and the key elements that made it thrive. Plus, outlines its downfall. I couldnt put it down.

[Jack Sprat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having had a lifelong fascination for pirates, this book cuts through all the myths and fictions about pirates, and tells you what the real ones were actually really like. A very welcome treasure-trove of information!

[Edward Sapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t set it down

Great blend of macro & micro detail, full global context why it all happened coupled with fascinating anecdotes of the characters that dominated the pirate outbreak

[Scott Goglin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a good book!

[Apriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great history of not only pirates and the men who fought against them, but also the social, political, and economic circumstances that created them. Excellent read!

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! The way the author turns the history of these pirates into fantastic tales, kept me entertained throughout the entire book.

[Bobby Goldbetter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting read but certain parts of book felt like it took forever to get through.

[Samantha H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great info, easy to read, very memorable

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dull and a bit lazy, I gave up on this book after coming back to it from a long break. I originally bought it in the Caribbean, on a Nicaraguan island looking to learn more about the pirates that ruled that coast for so long. Unfortunately, this book was simply not very good. The bland dull style does little to illuminate the fascinating subject; the prose is very roundabout and lengthy without delivering much on information; the footnotes are more asides that actually would do better in the text itself; and the author's own opinions come out far too much for a reasoned history. The exact moment I realised that I should abandon this book is on page 138, where the author relates that

"Pirates also expressed their hatred of Authority by jeering at the civilization they despised, feared, and fought against. Examples of their rancorous mockery abound", but then neglects to proffer any such examples. If you can't be bothered to even prove to me you're not making this up, then I'm not going to waste any more time reading your history. Not a good book, not recommended.

[Nick Fitzhenry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an enjoyable read - as much history of early colonialism as piracy. Sherry describes the golden age piracy, a short era which spanned from 1690 to 1725, from which comes the classic image of a pirate. During this time, a loose confederacy of pirates, many of whom were former begrudged seamen enlisted in colonial navies, took to piracy, raiding merchant ships along Madagascar and the Red Sea, in the West Indies, and off the West Coast of Africa.

The author does a good job at showing how the politics of the Old World, such as the shifting alliances of Spain and England, opened up opportunities for men to turn to piracy. Other chapters tell the tales of famous pirate captains, such as Captain Kidd, Anne Bonny and Bartholomew Roberts. One of my favorite chapters describes the pirate town of Nassau in the Bahamas, which served as a base of operations of Blackbeard and Rackham in their heyday.

The book makes a good balance of providing a historical account, while giving you the swashbuckling energy that you’d hope to get from a book about pirates.

[Paul Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love anything about pirates and the Golden Age of Pirates. Sherry's book is well researched and he has gone to great lengths to separate myth from truth.

I found the information about the British Navigation Act to be particularly interesting. Everyone says that the reason for the Revolutionary War was British oppression. Raiders and Rebels explains
in this book exactly that through the Navigation Act, the British had effectively prohibited the colonies from conducting any trade whatsoever. The Navigation Act precipitated the Golden Age of Piracy in addition to the Boston Tea Party and eventually the Revolutionary War.

Anyone that is interested in the history of the Golden age of Piracy will want to read this book.

I give it five stars.

[Nicholas Aune · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though Sherry gives a pretty weak case for Captain Kidd, the author writes a very interesting history of the Golden Age of Piracy. Except that it solely focuses on British and North American pirates operating out of Madagascar up to the Seven Years War. It offers a pretty narrow scope of what pirates were and where they operated from. Still, Sherry gives an honest depiction of the harshness of naval life ,seriously examines the political and economic motivations behind joining a pirate crew, and Sherry does build a strong case that piracy was the first major rebellion to the Navigation Acts prior to the American Revolution.

[Boris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good survey of piracy in the late 17th and early 18th centuries including a closer look at some of the more infamous names in piracy at the time, such as Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, Calico Jack Rackham and the female pirates, Anne Bonny and Mary Read.

The book is largely based on "A General History of Pyrates", published anonymously but probably written by Daniel Defoe.

[Chris Brimmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in a breezy magazine style, this was an entertaining and quick read. Sherry does bias his sourcing to Defoe a bit much but if you rely a bit much on one source you could do worse. As popular history this is one of the best I've read in a while.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great history. Easy to read and interesting on every page. Well researched - with notes lest you doubt, and yet approachable as a "reading but not studying" type of book.

I'll be sending this as gifts.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting but not gripping

[Chris Dziewa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say, I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting to delve into the age of piracy for an exploration of not only the key figures of this fascinating part of history, but also of the economic, political and social issues that caused ordinary sailors to go "on the account". The well-paced narrative by Frank Sherry made this book a real page-turner that even had me reading the notes at the end.