When you shop through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This educational content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice.
20 Best Books On Pirates History (2023 Update)
Are you looking for the Best Books On Pirates History? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
Choosing the Best Books On Pirates History can be difficult as there are so many considerations, such as Nike, Penguin Random House, Schiffer Publishing Ltd, WHSmith, Amazon.com. We have done a lot of research to find the Top 20 Best Books On Pirates History available.
The average cost is $22.90. Sold comparable range in price from a low of $2.87 to a high of $77.64.
Based on the research we did, we think A General History of the Robberies & Murders of the Most Notorious Pirates [Book] is the best overall. Read on for the rest of the great options and our buying guide, where you can find all the information you need to know before making an informed purchase.
20 Best Books On Pirates History (18 Sellers)
| Product Image | Product Name | Features | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
Features:
- Author: charles captain johnson, charles johnson
- Languages: english
- Product format: paperback / softback
Features:
- Publisher: lyons press
- Publisher date: 2011-09
- Dimensions: 22.6 x 15.2 x 2.3 cm
Features:
- Binding type: hardback
- Year published: 2018-08-20
- Number of pages: 504
Features:
- Number of pages: 344
- Genre: history
- Format: paperback
Features:
- Languages: english
- Product format: paperback / softback
- Publisher: penguin books usa
Features:
- With tales of vicious mutineers, imperial riches and high-seas intrigue, black flags, blue waters reanimates the golden age of piracy.
- Binding type: hardback.
- Year published: 2018-10-19.
Features:
- Number of pages: 388
- Genre: history
- Format: paperback
Features:
- Suggested age: 22 years and up
- Number of pages: 336
- Genre: history
$7.40
3.0
Features:
- Binding type: hardback
- Publisher: mercury books london
- Year published: 2005-09-01
$77.64
3.0
Features:
- Binding type: hardback
- Publisher: mercury books london
- Year published: 2005-09-01
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Publisher: university of georgia press
- Year published: 2018-06-15
Features:
- Series: real story
- Binding type: paperback
- Publisher: real story books (publisher)
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Publisher: f&w publications inc
- Year published: 20101228
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Publisher: national geographic society
- Year published: 2007-09-18
Features:
- Used book in good condition
- Highlight, take notes, and search in the book
- In this edition, page numbers are just like the physical edition
Features:
- Number of pages: 216
- Genre: history
- Sub-genre: modern
$25.27
Features:
- This title is not returnable.
- Product details.
- Publication date: 12-15-2021.
$25.27
Features:
- This title is not returnable.
- Product details.
- Publication date: 12-15-2021.
$9.99
5.0
Features:
- Binding type: hardback
- Publisher: prentice hall press
- Year published: 20200512
Features:
- In the golden age of pirates: an interactive history adventure, you are making your living at sea at a time when pirates ruled the oceans.
- Will you stick to an honest life or risk everything for the riches and adventure of piracy.
- This item supersedes with cpb9781429611817 | cpb9781515742555.
1. A General History Of The Robberies & Murders Of The Most Notorious Pirates [Book]
Product Details:
Originally published in 1724—and now with an introduction and commentary by david cordingly, best-selling author of the pirate classic under the black flag—this famous account of the most notorious pirates of the day was an immediate success. written by the mysterious captain johnson, it appeared in the book world at a time since described as the “golden age of piracy” and vividly captures the realities of the savage seafaring existence—detailing specific events, including trials, of the day's most feared pirates. indeed, this book has become the main source for scholars seeking to learn more about the female pirates mary read and anne bonny, and was largely responsible for the posthumous fame of blackbeard and captain kidd. in the 270 years since its first publication, it has come to be generally regarded as the classic study of one of the most popular subjects in maritime history.
Reviews:
Ordered after watching programme on bbc4. Great read at a bargain price thanks.Harry U.
2. Pirates: The Complete History From 1300 Bc To The Present Day [Book]
Product Details:
Angus konstam sets sail through the brutal history of piracy, separating myth from legend and fact from fiction. pirates takes us into the depths of the pirate's dark world, examining the many colorful characters from cretans and vikings to french corsairs and the british rogues of the golden age of piracy, such as blackbeard and captain kidd and even two women pirates, mary read and ann bonny, who became pregnant to avoid execution. a blood-soaked, riveting account, it provides 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.
3. A Pirate's Life In The Golden Age Of Piracy [Book]
Product Details:
Think you know everything about pirates? fascination with pirates has for centuries driven stories of heroic proportions–true, exaggerated, and imaginary. legends of their high seas debauchery continue to inspire modern day books, movies, and groups, dedicated to acting out their past. the facts are that the historical record on pirates is vague, contradictory, and rarely accurate. a pirates life in the golden age of piracy will fascinate and transport you back in time with rich stories and visual accuracy. if you thought you knew all about pirates you're in for some surprising revelations that will leaving you even more intrigued
Specifications:
| Language | English |
| Release Date | August 2018 |
| Length | 504 Pages |
| Dimensions | 1.1" x 8.5" x 11.0" |
Reviews:
Great so far, so much detail. and an pretty easy readpatrickt0146
To read about the history of the subject, and find out the life and times of the period.Bonton
4. Pirates On The Chesapeake: Being A True History Of Pirates, Picaroons, And Raiders On The Chesapeake Bay, 1610-1807 [Book]
Product Details:
A dazzling array of swashbuckling pirates, picaroons, and sea rovers are pitted against the often feckless representatives of an outpost government authority in the chesapeake bay region. it is an exciting and dramatic two hundred-year history that begins grimly with the "starving time" in the virginia colony in 1609, and ends with the peaceful resolution of the othello affair with the french in 1807. in between lies a full panoply of violent and bizarre buccaneering incidents that one is hard pressed to imagine from the vantage point of the twenty-first century. documented by impressive research in articles of the netherlands, england, and the united states, shomette skillfully reconstructs these episodes and many others, including the intensive anti-pirate cruise to capture–dead or alive–the notorious blackbeard. the anti-pirate cruises led to the roundup of dozens of pirates and some showy executions but did little to curb the continued terrorist activities of bandits like roger makeele, stede bonnet, and joseph wheland.
Specifications:
| Language | English |
| Release Date | January 1985 |
| Length | 344 Pages |
| Dimensions | 1.2" x 6.2" x 9.3" |
5. Thomas Jefferson And The Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War That Changed American History [Book]
Product Details:
When thomas jefferson became president in 1801, america was deeply in debt, with its economy and dignity under attack. realizing it was time to stand up to the intimidation, jefferson decided to move beyond diplomacy. he sent the u.s. thomas jefferson and the tripoli pirates recaptures this forgotten war that changed american history with a real-life drama of intrigue, bravery, and battle on the high seas.
Reviews:
Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates was an excellent book. I am not a history buff, but the authors keep the readers attention throughout the entire book. Pictures of the main characters and maps are included which add more insight and interest to the reading. Plus ordering the book through Target – I received a 5% discount, free shipping, and received the book in 3 days!Gigi
An excellent read! America's first war as an independent country was against a group of Islamic regimes in North Africa that were hijacking US ships and literally enslaving the crews – according to the dictates of the Shari'ah. At first the US tried to follow the practice of other great powers that paid protection money (jizyah) to the piratic Muslim regimes but the amounts they demanded kept rising beyond the capability of the young USA to pay. Finally, Jefferson had had enough and the US went to war with the jihadi regimes which were finally defeated under President Madison. The book tells the tale in an engaging, not stodgy, academic way and reads like an adventure story – but all documented and accurate. The struggle with political Islam isn't new and isn't an aberration. It didn't start on 9/11 but in 1785. Learn about it here!m.e3426
6. Black Flags, Blue Waters: The Epic History Of America's Most Notorious Pirates [Book]
Product Details:
With surprising tales of vicious mutineers, imperial riches, and high-seas intrigue, black flags, blue waters vividly reanimates the “golden age” of piracy in the americas. set against the backdrop of the age of exploration, black flags, blue waters reveals the dramatic and surprising history of american piracy’s “golden age”—spanning the late 1600s through the early 1700s—when lawless pirates plied the coastal waters of north america and beyond. best-selling author eric jay dolin illustrates how american colonists at first supported these outrageous pirates in an early display of solidarity against the crown, and then violently opposed them. through engrossing episodes of roguish glamour and extreme brutality, dolin depicts the star pirates of this period, among them towering blackbeard, ill-fated captain kidd, and sadistic edward low, who delighted in torturing his prey. also brilliantly detailed are the pirates’ manifold enemies, including colonial governor john winthrop, evangelist cotton mather, and young benjamin franklin. upending popular misconceptions and cartoonish stereotypes, dolin provides this wholly original account of the seafaring outlaws whose raids reflect the precarious nature of american colonial life.
Reviews:
Very good pirate book, once I started reading it was hard to put down!viedt
7. The Golden Age Of Piracy: The Truth Behind Pirate Myths [Book]
Product Details:
"little has a deep affection for his subject that occasionally leads him to affectation, but his use of piratical jargon is more charming than jarring; clearly he’s having a good time, and so will readers. around these desperate men has grown a body of myths and legends—fascinating tales that today strongly influence our notions of pirates and piracy. most of these myths derive from the pirates of the “golden age,” from roughly 1655 to 1725. this was the age of the spanish main, of henry morgan and blackbeard, of bartholomew sharp and bartholomew roberts. the history of pirate myth is rich in action, at sea and ashore. however, the truth is far more interesting. in the golden age of piracy, expert pirate historian benerson little debunks more than a dozen pirate myths that derive from this era—from the flying of the jolly roger to the burying of treasure, from walking the plank to the staging of epic sea battles—and shows that the truth is far more fascinating and disturbing than the romanticized legends. among little’s revelations are that pirates of the golden age never made their captives walk the plank and that they, instead, were subject to horrendous torture, such as being burned or hung by their arms. likewise, epic sea battles involving pirates were fairly rare because most prey surrendered immediately. the stories are real and are drawn heavily from primary sources.
8. The Pirate World: A History Of The Most Notorious Sea Robbers [Book]
Product Details:
Often romanticized in print and on the silver screen, real-life pirates were a brutal menace that plagued the high seas. in this book, angus konstam separates myth from reality, tracing the history of piracy through the centuries, from the pirates who plagued the ancient egyptians to the viking raids and on to the era of privateers. he discusses the so-called "golden age of piracy" and colorful characters such as blackbeard and captain kidd, before examining the west's initial encounters with eastern pirates off the chinese coast and the phenomenon of the modern pirate. highly illustrated with color images and specially commissioned maps throughout, this is a unique exploration of the pirate world.
9. The History Of Pirates [Book]
Product Details:
The history of pirates traces piracy from the seas of antiquity to the new world and beyond. it is a thorough, authoritative and memorable portrait of the fascinating world of pirates. detailed maps bear vivid testimony to the far-ranging exploits of these capricious, sometimes charismatic, and frequently bloodthirsty sea-dogs and highwaymen of the oceans.
Specifications:
| Language | English |
| Release Date | August 2002 |
| Length | 192 Pages |
| Dimensions | 0.8" x 8.4" x 11.1" |
Reviews:
10. The History Of Pirates [Book]
Product Details:
The history of pirates traces piracy from the seas of antiquity to the new world and beyond. it is a thorough, authoritative and memorable portrait of the fascinating world of pirates. detailed maps bear vivid testimony to the far-ranging exploits of these capricious, sometimes charismatic, and frequently bloodthirsty sea-dogs and highwaymen of the oceans.
Specifications:
| Language | English |
| Release Date | August 2002 |
| Length | 192 Pages |
| Dimensions | 0.8" x 8.4" x 11.1" |
Reviews:
11. The Golden Age Of Piracy: The Rise, Fall, And Enduring Popularity Of Pirates [Book]
Product Details:
Shrouded by myth and hidden by hollywood, the real pirates of the caribbean come to life in this collection of essays edited by david head. twelve scholars of piracy show why pirates thrived in the new world seas of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century empires, how pirates operated their plundering ventures, how governments battled piracy, and when and why piracy declined. the essays presented take the study of piracy, which can easily lapse into rousing, romanticized stories, to new heights of rigor and insight.the golden age of piracy also delves into the enduring status of pirates as pop culture icons. audiences have devoured stories about cutthroats such as blackbeard and henry morgan from the time that pirates sailed the sea. by looking at the ideas of gender and sexuality surrounding pirate stories, the fad for hunting pirate treasure, and the construction of pirate myths, the book's contributors tell a new story about the dangerous men, and a few dangerous women, who terrorized the high seas.contributors: douglas r. coakley, carolyn eastman, adam jortner, peter t. leeson, margarette lincoln, virginia w. lunsford, kevin p. mcdonald, carla gardina pestana, matthew taylor raffety, and david wilson.
Specifications:
| Language | English |
| Release Date | June 2018 |
| Length | 264 Pages |
| Dimensions | 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0" |
12. The Real Story Of Pirates: Fun Facts, Tall Tales, And Awesome Activities [Book]
Product Details:
The real story of pirates – fun facts, tall tales, and awesome activities offers fascinating information about life at sea during the "golden age of pirating" as well as brief profiles of famous pirates of the past. there are over 40 illustrations, (most of which are meant to be colored), and descriptions of navigation devices, tools, and weapons used by pirates.you'll learn other interesting facts, too. every year, on september 19th, many people today participate in "international talk like a pirate day." did you know that real pirates didn't really say things like "argh!" and "matey," and "walk the plank?" privateers were sailors who became pirates for hire. did you also know that many common phrases heard today came from the classic age of pirates and seafaring? many other such common words and phrases are explained in these pages. facts and stories like these (in addition to fun coloring pages, a true or false quiz, an elaborate treasure maze, and a challenging word search puzzle) are included in the book, plus information on hosting your own pirate party! there are suggestions for reading the book and discussing pirates with younger children, too. the publisher provides permission to make limited copies (for personal use, only) of the book's coloring pages so your child's finished work of art can be mounted in a frame or on the fridge, without having to tear it from the book. this book is recommended for ages 9 and older.addendum: the current printing is the fourth (and updated) edition of the real story of pirates; it contains corrections and newly discovered information not available in the previous versions.
Specifications:
Reviews:
13. The Pirate Primer: Mastering The Language Of Swashbucklers And Rogues [Book]
Product Details:
Take a tour through the world of piracy with the only authoritative work on the pirate language. a comprehensive course in pirate vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and syntax, the pirate primer contains three centuries of distinctive terms and usages uttered by (and attributed to) pirates in film, tv, literature, and history. – discover more than 100 pages of threats, curses, oaths, insults, and epithets; 31 types of pirate drink; 60 different pirate terms for "woman"; 67 kinds of pirate torture and punishment; 44 distinct definitions of "arrgh"; and more. – each entry in the primer is accompanied by an excerpt, so you can see the words and phrases used in proper context by actual pirates. and each linguistic concept is introduced by a related anecdote or narrative account, so you can live the language while you learn it. – whether you're simply fascinated by the culture of the brethren of the coast or you fancy yourself a modern-day corsair, the pirate primer is your guide to authentic pirate speak. should you ever stare down davy lones and he demands proof that you're one who flies no flag, despair not. – you'll be able to talk the talk, and no mistake. – language is the gateway to other worlds. the pirate primer transports its readers to the high seas of long ago.
Specifications:
| Language | English |
| Release Date | December 2009 |
| Length | 156 Pages |
| Dimensions | 0.3" x 7.4" |
Reviews:
Great book, at a great price!!!comicman5757
Awsome Book!!! Pages look old, torn and aged. Excellently done! My Brother is going to love this one!!!tod913
14. Real Pirates: The Untold Story Of The Whydah From Slave Ship To Pirate Ship [Book]
Product Details:
Now, for the first time, its treasure holds are unlocked for public view. more than 200 items were retrieved from the ocean floor: the telltale ship's bell, inscribed "whydah galley 1716"; coins and jewelry, buttons and cufflinks; muskets, cannons, and swords; everyday objects including teakettles and tableware, gaming tokens, and clay pipes. the artifacts provide an unprecedented glimpse into the raucous world of 18th-century pirating and shed light on the link between the slave trade and piracy during those tumultuous times. built to transport human captives from africa to the caribbean, the whydah made one such voyage before being captured in 1717 by sam bellamy, the boldest pirate of his day.
Specifications:
Reviews:
Very easy to understand….. & a 'great' read !sherman3862
15. The Invisible Hook: The Hidden Economics Of Pirates [Book]
Product Details:
Pack your cutlass and blunderbuss–it's time to go a-pirating! the invisible hook takes readers inside the wily world of late seventeenth- and early eighteenth-century pirates. with swashbuckling irreverence and devilish wit, peter leeson uncovers the hidden economics behind pirates' notorious, entertaining, and sometimes downright shocking behavior. why did pirates fly flags of skull & bones? why did they create a "pirate code"? were pirates really ferocious madmen? and what made them so successful? the invisible hook uses economics to examine these and other infamous aspects of piracy. the invisible hook looks at legendary pirate captains like blackbeard, black bart roberts, and calico jack rackam, and shows how pirates' search for plunder led them to pioneer remarkable and forward-thinking practices. pirates understood the advantages of constitutional democracy–a model they adopted more than fifty years before the united states did so. pirates also initiated an early system of workers' compensation, regulated drinking and smoking, and in some cases practiced racial tolerance and equality. leeson contends that pirates exemplified the virtues of vice–their self-seeking interests generated socially desirable effects and their greedy criminality secured social order. pirates proved that anarchy could be organized. revealing the democratic and economic forces propelling history's most colorful criminals, the invisible hook establishes pirates' trailblazing relevance to the contemporary world.
Specifications:
| Language | English |
| Release Date | April 2009 |
| Length | 288 Pages |
| Dimensions | 2.3" x 5.0" x 8.0" |
Reviews:
Excellent Book and the order was quick and easyHook
16. Pirate: The Buccaneer's (Unofficial) Manual [Book]
Product Details:
A lively yet historically accurate guide: how to dress like a pirate, what to expect of life on the high seas, and how to capture treasurepirate: the buccaneer’s (unofficial) manual is a witty, informative, and highly entertaining guide to how to be a pirate, combining historical accuracy with an irreverent but revealing look at the eighteenth-century world of piracy and buccaneering. included are chapters on the history of piracy, stretching back to ancient greece and rome; essentials of language and dress; notable pirate role models, including blackbeard and captain kidd; what to expect of life at sea; the best weapons to have; how to capture a prize on the high seas and much more. author stephen turnbull has studied the archives and traveled to pirate locations around the world in researching this fictionalized account, written as a pirate’s training manual for a young recruit based in the year 1793—a golden age for piracy. illustrated throughout with artifacts, documents, and prints of the time as well as modern reconstructions, this lively and engaging manual provides answers to all the questions readers may have wondered about—did they really walk the plank, keep parrots, or bury treasure and mark it with an x on the map? pirate: the buccaneer’s (unofficial) manual answers these questions and more, covering with authority every aspect of what it was really like to be a pirate.
Specifications:
| Large Print | Yes |
| Language | English |
| Release Date | February 2010 |
| Length | 630 Pages |
| Dimensions | 1.3" x 7.4" |
Reviews:
Sjörövare, Pirater, Har väl alltid varit i pojkars drömmar. Efter att sett Black sails. Så ville jag kolla upp lite om hur mycket dom följde historien. Boken innehåller fakta om dom flesta kända pirater, och är en intressant och spännande läsning. Boken är för alla som vill veta mer om pirater. Och man får veta att äventyren inte alltid slutade med att dom levde lyckliga i alla sina dagar.Kurt M
17. History Of Pirates [Book]
Product Details:
This title focuses on the history of pirates! it takes a deep look into their origin, fighting tactics, and golden age of piracy. this hi-lo title is complete with thrilling and colorful photographs, simple text, glossary, and an index. aligned to common core standards and correlated to state standards. is an imprint of abdo zoom, a division of abdo.
Specifications:
18. History Of Pirates [Book]
Product Details:
This title focuses on the history of pirates! it takes a deep look into their origin, fighting tactics, and golden age of piracy. this hi-lo title is complete with thrilling and colorful photographs, simple text, glossary, and an index. aligned to common core standards and correlated to state standards. is an imprint of abdo zoom, a division of abdo.
Specifications:
19. Enemy Of All Mankind: A True Story Of Piracy, Power, And History's First Global Manhunt [Book]
Product Details:
“thoroughly engrossing . . . a spirited, suspenseful, economically told tale whose significance is manifest and whose pace never flags.” —the wall street journal from the new york times–bestselling author of the ghost map and extra life, the story of a pirate who changed the world henry every was the seventeenth century’s most notorious pirate. the press published wildly popular—and wildly inaccurate—reports of his nefarious adventures. the british government offered enormous bounties for his capture, alive or (preferably) dead. but steven johnson argues that every’s most lasting legacy was his inadvertent triggering of a major shift in the global economy. it’s the gripping tale of one of the most lucrative crimes in history, the first international manhunt, and the trial of the seventeenth century. johnson uses the extraordinary story of henry every and his crimes to explore the emergence of the east india company, the british empire, and the modern global marketplace: a densely interconnected planet ruled by nations and corporations. how did this unlikely pirate and his notorious crime end up playing a key role in the birth of multinational capitalism? in the same mode as johnson’s classic nonfiction historical thriller the ghost map, enemy of all mankind deftly traces the path from a single struck match to a global conflagration.
Reviews:
This book is a terrific summertime read with all the elements of a true adventure. The author, Steven Johnson, has crafted a history of the high seas that carries the reader through many parts of the world at a time that seems like a perfect escape from todays challenges. Dont pass up the journey!stannous-man
As a descendant of one of the crew of Henry Every's pirate ship, I find Steven Johnson's discussion of the historical impact and significance of the attack on the Gunsway remarkable. His research skills are only exceeded by his writing skills which keep the reader captivated start to finish. This is a story that never seems to fade from public interest. Within the last year or so, evidence has emerged strongly suggesting Every first sailed to New England before heading to Ireland to enjoy his fortune. Hopefully a future edition of this "keeper" book will include this new information. Strong work, Mr. Johnson!pastimeguy
20. The Golden Age Of Pirates: An Interactive History Adventure [Book]
