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In this brilliant new edition of Pirates, Terry Deary reveals the terrible truth behind the lousy pirate legends and lies.
So forget the brave heroes swinging from masts and the handsome young men sailing the seven seas for this is history at its most horrible!
Readers can:
decide who was the baddest of the bunch in the top ten of putrid pirates discover why the women pirates were just as wicked as the men learn to talk the patter of a piratePlus there are foul facts on the ships they sailed, the punishments they suffered and the rules they lived by. Now the nasty bits are at your fingertips!
96 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2006
26 people are currently reading
377 people want to read
About the author
Terry Deary
828 books835 followersA former actor, theatre-director and drama teacher, Deary says he began writing when he was 29. Most famously, he is one of the authors of the Horrible Histories series of books popular among children for their disgusting details, gory information and humorous pictures and among adults for getting children interested in history. Books in the series have been widely translated into other languages and imitated.
A cartoon series has been made of the series of books and was shown on CiTV for a period in 2002.
The first series of a live-action comedy sketch show of the same name was shown on CBBC in 2009 and a second series is due.
Terry is also known widely throughout children and adult reading groups alike for his True Stories series (see below for series list).
He received an Honorary Doctorate of Education from the University of Sunderland in 2000. His numerous accolades also include the Blue Peter "Best Nonfiction Author of the Century" Award in the U.K.
-Wikipedia
A cartoon series has been made of the series of books and was shown on CiTV for a period in 2002.
The first series of a live-action comedy sketch show of the same name was shown on CBBC in 2009 and a second series is due.
Terry is also known widely throughout children and adult reading groups alike for his True Stories series (see below for series list).
He received an Honorary Doctorate of Education from the University of Sunderland in 2000. His numerous accolades also include the Blue Peter "Best Nonfiction Author of the Century" Award in the U.K.
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 30, 2013
Pirates Handbook tells the reader about everything a person needs to know to become a pirate. Workings of the pirate ship is one topic. It gives the reader the knowledge of which pirates to avoid on the high seas and how pirates go about attacking another ship.
I liked the book because I am a big fan of pirates. I learned about their weapons and history. Two of the most famous pirates were Black Beard and Davey Jones. Many of the pirate movies tht I have seen have been made from their legends.
I recommend this book to others that are interested in pirate lore and movies.
I liked the book because I am a big fan of pirates. I learned about their weapons and history. Two of the most famous pirates were Black Beard and Davey Jones. Many of the pirate movies tht I have seen have been made from their legends.
I recommend this book to others that are interested in pirate lore and movies.
January 30, 2020
Divertido? Sí, los chistes estan buenos. Esta dirigido a un público infantil pero con estos libros aprendo muchas palabras nuevas y hechos historicos. Vale la pena.
June 23, 2017
I absolutely adore Horrible Histories. When I was about 9, there was this animated series on tv. It didn't last very long, but it was about these two kids who travel in time and see all these horrible events. That was my first taste of horrible histories. It's a shame that I only discovered the book series after I saw this show but ever since I picked up the first one of these books - not that I can even remember which it was - I have been in love with them. Then came the live-action tv series which I am absolutely mad about. I think I have seen every episode maybe 4 or 5 times - it's my go to show when I'm ill or upset, because it always makes me smile. And the songs are just wow...but I'm going a bit off track here. My point is, Horrible Histories is one of my favourite books series, tv series, song series...(is that even a thing? I don't know). And this book is no exception. I read this many years ago, when I was in about year 6. But I think I appreciated it so much more now than I did back then. It's so witty, and clever. Terry Deary is seriously the best and Martin Brown's illustrations are amazing. What age would I recommend this to? Well, I don't recommend reading it to a toddler as a bed time story, but aside from that, I don't think it has an age limit. I'm 21 and I'm still a fan.
November 6, 2025
Pre decká super.
Rozprávanie o pirátoch, vlajkách, zbraniach, trestoch, smrtiach. Kruté, skutočné, zaujímavé. Pointa je, aby si deti nemysleli, že piráti boli milí vtipní smiešni, možno aj so cťou ako v Pirátoch z Karibiku. Práve naopak (nie úplne citujem) : O pirátoch sa dá rozprávať veľa zaujímavých príbehov, ale pravda je, že to boli krutí a hlúpi muži a kruté a hlúpe ženy.
A ilustrácie sú perfektné :)
Rozprávanie o pirátoch, vlajkách, zbraniach, trestoch, smrtiach. Kruté, skutočné, zaujímavé. Pointa je, aby si deti nemysleli, že piráti boli milí vtipní smiešni, možno aj so cťou ako v Pirátoch z Karibiku. Práve naopak (nie úplne citujem) : O pirátoch sa dá rozprávať veľa zaujímavých príbehov, ale pravda je, že to boli krutí a hlúpi muži a kruté a hlúpe ženy.
A ilustrácie sú perfektné :)
September 1, 2021
Having watched a Martin Brown's exhibition, borrowed this from a local library and read on....Cute information, like hanging in a rope cage out of the ship to pass loo :) with some cute trademark illustrations :). Of course, don't read this so seriously as it was mentioned also in the book that some of them may not be true historic facts as some stories might be just created out of the blue!
December 30, 2019
Read as part of the Around the Year in 52 books challenge. Week 19: A book by an author who has more than one book on your TBR
May 31, 2020
Good book
I highly recommend the book it is very interesting I loved it so do try it because it is really good
I highly recommend the book it is very interesting I loved it so do try it because it is really good
July 9, 2023
Although this book is aimed at a younger audience, it is entertaining and funny for an adult as well. Lots of good information presented in a light way.
April 2, 2025
Pretty easy to read through in a day, did a school project on this book in Afrikaans once
November 23, 2025
Very gory, but amazing factual book.
November 8, 2012
Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com
Pirates are a hot commodity these days (can you say Jack Sparrow??). In this need-to-know generation, author Terry Deary has brought us THE HANDBOOK OF PIRATES, an easy-to-use, highly entertaining reference guide to all things pirates.
There are several categories included:
Lousy Legends and Lies
Nasty Names
Top Ten Putrid Pirates
Perilous Pirate Timeline
Lousy Loot
Wicked Weapons
Terrible Tactics
Wicked Women Pirates
Cutthroat Cruelties
Rotten Rules
Pirate Ships
Pirate Losers
Talk Like a Pirate
Fly the Flags
Foul Facts
Pirate Punishments
Dire Deaths
I truly enjoyed the history behind the book's Top Ten Pirates, and found the Wicked Women Pirates section to be just as well-researched. I also learned a thing or two -- that many pirates did, indeed, own parrots, and that "walking the plank" is most likely a myth (pirates found it much easier to chop you up and feed you to the sharks - why waste time slowing down so you could walk the plank?).
THE HANDBOOK OF PIRATES also includes laugh-out-loud full-color illustrations and small comic strips, although some of them wouldn't be appropriate for children in elementary school. Overall, this is a great book for pirate lovers, and one that would should be included in your pirate library.
Pirates are a hot commodity these days (can you say Jack Sparrow??). In this need-to-know generation, author Terry Deary has brought us THE HANDBOOK OF PIRATES, an easy-to-use, highly entertaining reference guide to all things pirates.
There are several categories included:
Lousy Legends and Lies
Nasty Names
Top Ten Putrid Pirates
Perilous Pirate Timeline
Lousy Loot
Wicked Weapons
Terrible Tactics
Wicked Women Pirates
Cutthroat Cruelties
Rotten Rules
Pirate Ships
Pirate Losers
Talk Like a Pirate
Fly the Flags
Foul Facts
Pirate Punishments
Dire Deaths
I truly enjoyed the history behind the book's Top Ten Pirates, and found the Wicked Women Pirates section to be just as well-researched. I also learned a thing or two -- that many pirates did, indeed, own parrots, and that "walking the plank" is most likely a myth (pirates found it much easier to chop you up and feed you to the sharks - why waste time slowing down so you could walk the plank?).
THE HANDBOOK OF PIRATES also includes laugh-out-loud full-color illustrations and small comic strips, although some of them wouldn't be appropriate for children in elementary school. Overall, this is a great book for pirate lovers, and one that would should be included in your pirate library.
March 27, 2016
Okay, so you guys remember how much I love the Horrible Histories, I'm sure. Pirates is part of an offshoot of the original series, the handbooks, which are sort of history texts disguised as how-to manuals. Knights and Spies and Trenches and so forth. Pirates is the only one I found in my local library, so it's the only one I've read until such time as I get my hands on the rest of them.
First, the general conceit; it's a smart idea. The usual Horrible Histories cover (in vaguely chronological order with asides on specific topics) an era or eras in history. The handbooks cover specific topics (again, in vaguely chronological order) and go into more depth than the Horrible Histories can manage on their own. They're also just as funny as the originals and have illustrations in color! So I like the idea, it's a good one.
For Pirates, the execution is... eh? It's entertaining, and the good parts are REALLY REALLY good, but the lackluster parts are just that. Some of the jokes go on a scotch too long, some of the illustrations don't quite match, some of the quizzes are too easy or too hard. It's a fun book, don't get me wrong, but it maybe needed another pass through the mill.
Still, definitely a good book for any kid into pirates. And I'll always love Terry Deary. So pick it up from the library and judge for yourself if it sounds like something you'd be into.
First, the general conceit; it's a smart idea. The usual Horrible Histories cover (in vaguely chronological order with asides on specific topics) an era or eras in history. The handbooks cover specific topics (again, in vaguely chronological order) and go into more depth than the Horrible Histories can manage on their own. They're also just as funny as the originals and have illustrations in color! So I like the idea, it's a good one.
For Pirates, the execution is... eh? It's entertaining, and the good parts are REALLY REALLY good, but the lackluster parts are just that. Some of the jokes go on a scotch too long, some of the illustrations don't quite match, some of the quizzes are too easy or too hard. It's a fun book, don't get me wrong, but it maybe needed another pass through the mill.
Still, definitely a good book for any kid into pirates. And I'll always love Terry Deary. So pick it up from the library and judge for yourself if it sounds like something you'd be into.
March 28, 2011
Wonderful book, all about pirates.
Pirates here, pirates there, and scurvy everywhere.
Tons of stuff you never knew about pirates and loads of stuff you never would've guessed about pirates.
All the weird, wacky, wonderful, disgusting, marvellous stuff about pirates in one book that I guarantee you won't put down. Until it finishes of course.
Pirates here, pirates there, and scurvy everywhere.
Tons of stuff you never knew about pirates and loads of stuff you never would've guessed about pirates.
All the weird, wacky, wonderful, disgusting, marvellous stuff about pirates in one book that I guarantee you won't put down. Until it finishes of course.
July 29, 2011
Horrible Histories is a series of illustrated books published in the UK by Scholastic. They are designed to get children interested in history by concentrating on the trivial, unusual, gory, or unpleasant. They are exceptionally well loved by my history loving children
September 13, 2017
This book took a horribly unobjective and unwarranted view of pirates: that they were all stupid and evil. Also, there were some factual errors in this book that could have been fixed with a little research.
March 15, 2021
One of the more disappointing ones in the series. A lot of interesting information was left out (yes even for children!) and it just felt very white. I'll keep it because my collection is almost complete, but it's not one I'm really excited about.
January 21, 2010
Excellently written and so much fun. Have whetted my appetite for the complete series. Facts can be so much fun when presented like this !
November 29, 2010
Pirates By Terry Deary is a funny book about pirates and it talks about famous pirates like Black beard Henry Morgon
June 15, 2011
Really good animations and tell you the truths and lies about pirates. Another epic book by horrible histories!
November 10, 2012
A fun and entertaining read. A very enjoyable way to learn about this topic.
July 19, 2014
The book was perfect for my classroom use.
May 6, 2016
343 - 2016
Hasil hunting di BBW 30/04/2016.
How I love the Horrible Histories series.
Hasil hunting di BBW 30/04/2016.
How I love the Horrible Histories series.
September 8, 2016
I've always liked ships right, but this book made me feel a little queasy...
I still enjoyed it however, and I learned more about pirates :)
I still enjoyed it however, and I learned more about pirates :)
July 6, 2022
Fun book for young teenagers about the history and language and habits of pirates. Some decently graphic descriptions of violent acts … I’d call it PG-13, but a fun PG-13. 😎🏴☠️
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews