Helpful Score: 3
I was so excited to finally find this book on a shelf to buy (go figure, I had to wait to find a pirate bookstore to find it - yeah, there is one, in Key West) and it did not disappoint. Ive had it on my Wish List here since it was recommended by The Word Detective.
It is so interesting, you won't be able to resist reading the fascinating tidbits out loud to your poor roommate, who now knows more about pirates than he ever wanted to. I had no idea that our idea of pirates is based on only a few fictional sources. This has many great examples of reality being more interesting than fiction.
It is so interesting, you won't be able to resist reading the fascinating tidbits out loud to your poor roommate, who now knows more about pirates than he ever wanted to. I had no idea that our idea of pirates is based on only a few fictional sources. This has many great examples of reality being more interesting than fiction.
Althea M. (althea) reviewed Under the Black Flag: The Romance and the Reality of Life Among the Pirates on + 774 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Non-fiction book on pirates. Cordingly does a good job of showing that although the reality of pirate life was not as benign or romantic as today's consumer of piratical historical fictions would like to think, the truth is just as fascinating and interesting as the fiction.
The book is well-researched, careful to state what is known, what is not known, and what is simply not likely. Adequate footnotes are given for all sources. (And unreliable sources are diligently explained to be such.) Chock-full of interesting facts and anecdotes; worth reading for anyone interested in finding out some of the truths behind the pirate mythos.
However, the topics are somewhat oddly divided into thematic chapters, each of which reads somewhat like a research term paper for a history class - not the most smooth or evocative prose I've ever read!
The book is well-researched, careful to state what is known, what is not known, and what is simply not likely. Adequate footnotes are given for all sources. (And unreliable sources are diligently explained to be such.) Chock-full of interesting facts and anecdotes; worth reading for anyone interested in finding out some of the truths behind the pirate mythos.
However, the topics are somewhat oddly divided into thematic chapters, each of which reads somewhat like a research term paper for a history class - not the most smooth or evocative prose I've ever read!
Taryn C. (TarynC) -
Helpful Score: 1
It was a very interesting book for history buffs! enjoyed it!
Dayna E. reviewed Under the Black Flag: The Romance and the Reality of Life Among the Pirates on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book is incredibly informative on the factual topics of the life of pirates. It is a great resource on everything pirate relates, and even details some of the better known buccaneers' lives as well as thier interaction with other notorious men (and women) of the golden age.
