Pirates

The word "pirate" instantly conjures a fearsome figure in a tricorner hat, brandishing a cutlass on the quarterdeck of a helpless victim's ship. The skull and crossbones have become instantly recognizable the world over, a symbol of lawlessness and rebellion. But if you think piracy is all about the Jolly Roger, a bottle o' rum, and walking the plank, think again. The reality, much more complex, spans all of human history. From Cretans and Vikings to French corsairs and British rogues, sail through the brutal history of piracy, separating myth from legend and fact from fiction. Pirates takes you into the depths of the pirate's dark world, examining the colorful characters of the golden age of piracy such as Blackbeard and Captain Kidd and even two women pirates who became pregnant to avoid death sentences. A blood-soaked, riveting account, Pirates offers a complete history of the fearsome threat on the high seas, from the marauders in the pages of antiquity to the Somali pirates in the headlines of today.