Under the Black Flag: The Romance and the Reality of Life Among the Pirates“This is the most authoritative and highly literate account of these pernicious people that I have ever read.”—Patrick O'Brian “[A] wonderfully entertaining history of pirates and piracy . . . a rip-roaring read . . . fascinating and unexpected.”—Men's Journal This rollicking account of the golden age of piracy is packed with vivid history and high seas adventure. David Cordingly, an acclaimed expert on pirates, reveals the spellbinding truth behind the legends of Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, Sir Francis Drake, the fierce female brigands Mary Read and Anne Bonny, and others who rode and robbed upon the world's most dangerous waters. Here, in thrilling detail, are the weapons they used, the ships they sailed, and the ways they fought—and were defeated. Under the Black Flag also charts the paths of fictional pirates such as Captain Hook and Long John Silver. The definitive resource on the subject, this book is as captivating as it is supremely entertaining. Praise for Under the Black Flag “[A] lively history . . . If you've ever been seduced by the myth of the cutlass-wielding pirate, consider David Cordingly's Under the Black Flag.”—USA Today, “Best Bets” “Engagingly told . . . a tale of the power of imaginative literature to re-create the past.”—Los Angeles Times “Entirely engaging and informative . . . a witty and spirited book.”—The Washington Post Book World “Plenty of thrills and adventure to satisfy any reader.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer |
Contents
Wooden Legs and Parrots | 3 |
Plundering the Treasure Ports | 26 |
Sir Henry Morgan | 42 |
Women Pirates and Pirates Women | 57 |
Storms Shipwrecks and Life at Sea | 79 |
Into Action Under the Pirate Flag | 104 |
Torture Violence and Marooning | 125 |
Pirate Islands and Other Haunts | 143 |
Sloops Schooners and Pirate Films | 158 |
Captain Kidd and Buried Treasure | 178 |
Hunting Down the Pirates | 194 |
Trials Executions and Hanging in Chains | 223 |
The Romance of Piracy | 241 |
Appendix IV | 253 |
Glossary of Sea Terms | 275 |
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Common terms and phrases
action Adventure America anchor appearance armed attack authorities battle became Bermuda Blackbeard boats Boston British buccaneers called Captain captured Caribbean carried century coast colonies commanded Court crew death deck described drinking early eight England English execution fire flag forced four French Galley gold Governor guns hand hanged harbor headed Henry Henry Morgan History hundred included island Jamaica John Johnson joined Kidd King later letter lives London Lord majority March Mary merchant merchant ship months Morgan Navy North noted officers ordered Panama piracy pirate ship played plunder Port prisoners privateers Providence published raids records reported returned Roberts Rogers Royal sailed seamen sent side silver slaves sloop South Spanish story taken took town trade treasure trial vessel volume voyage warship West Indies women