Life Among the Pirates

What were pirates really like How much, if any, of the piratical stereotype - of a dashingly handsome man with an eye-patch, peg-leg and a parrot on his shoulder - is based on the documented fact. In this revealing and highly original study David Cordingly sets out to discover the truth behind the piracy myth, exploring its enduring and extraordinary appeal, and answering such questions as: why did men become pirates Were there any women pirates How much money did they make from plundering and looting And were pirates really dashing highwaymen of the Seven Seas or just vicious cut-throats and robbers From Long John Silver to Henry Morgan, Robert Louis Stevenson to J.M. Barrie, LIFE AMONG THE PIRATES examines all the heavyweights of history and literature and presents the essential survey of this fascinating phenomenon.

“There is much to entertain and fascinate in all sections of Cordingly's readable book”

'Readable, wide-ranging and entertaining' - SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 'Fascinating' - GUARDIAN 'Splendidly illuminates the blurred distinctions between pirates, privateers and those who attacked ships in the name of their sovereigns' - EVENING STANDARD 'Excellent' - TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT 'A comprehensive and colourful account of seafaring life.' MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS

David Cordingly was Head of Exhibitions of the National Martime Museum in Greenwich. He has advised Hollywood on the depiction of pirates in movies (Cutthroat Island etc).

What were pirates really like How much, if any, of the piratical stereotype - of a dashingly handsome man with an eye-patch, peg-leg and a parrot on his shoulder - is based on the documented fact. In this revealing and highly original study David Cordingly sets out to discover the truth behind the piracy myth, exploring its enduring and extraordinary appeal, and answering such questions as: why did men become pirates Were there any women pirates How much money did they make from plundering and looting And were pirates really dashing highwaymen of the Seven Seas or just vicious cut-throats and robbers From Long John Silver to Henry Morgan, Robert Louis Stevenson to J.M. Barrie, LIFE AMONG THE PIRATES examines all the heavyweights of history and literature and presents the essential survey of this fascinating phenomenon.

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