Blackbeard: A Tale of Villainy and Murder in Colonial America [Hardcover]

Margaret Hoffman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1998

For two years, until his untimely death in 1718, the notorious pirate wreaked havoc on Atlantic coastal shipping. Many tales have been told about the bold deeds of this tall and wild sea rover, but few know about a daring crime that linked Blackbeard with the highest levels of government, a crime that would send two colonies to war and foreshadow the American Revolution. In her page-turning narrative based on a true story, Margaret Hoffman spins a tale of political intrigue, villainy and romance. Her infamous pirate emerges as a man of considerable charm and gallantry who not only becomes the confidant of the governor of North Carolina, but also wins the heart of a beautiful young heiress. Legends and myths about Blackbeard continue three centuries after his death, but the true story is the most incredible of all. With the recent discovery of Blackbeard's sunken ship, 'Queen Anne's Revenge', this book is sure to become as much a treasure as that ill-fated but much sought after shipwreck.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A colorful novel so vivid you can smell the gunpowder and hear the rattle of cutlasses...Any reader who has ever dreamed of sailing the Spanish Main among gold-weighted galleons and pirate ships will gobble up this colorful novel of one of the most notorious outlaws ever to prowl the high seas." -- -Philip Gerard, author of Cape Fear Rising

"Hoffman has good fanciful fun with some of Carolina's strangest history, when Blackbead the Pirate King cavorted about our sounds and rivers, romanced the women, and consorted with the colonial governor. With the recent discovery of Blackbeard's ship off Beaufort, North Carolina, Hoffman's new dramatization is timely indeed." -- -Bland Simpson, author of Into the Sound Country

"Margaret Hoffman's swashbuckling tale of early Carolina rings true and brings colonial history vivdly to life." -- -Paul Wilderson, Naval Institute Press

From the Author

Pirates, and especially Blackbeard, have always been a subject of intense fascination. But it was not until the discovery of Blackbeard's flagship, the "Queen Anne's Revenge", that there has been a resurgence of interest in Blackbeard unprecedented in America's history. It is to Phil Masters of Intersal and the dive team that discovered the "Queen Anne's Revenge", that I owe the publication of this book. It is not everyday that an author's ship, literally comes in. Blackbeard's forty-gun flagship, the "Queen Anne's Revenge", was the most powerful pirate vessel to ever sail in American waters. It was one of Blackbeard's flotilla of four vessels which blockaded Charleston harbor for a week in May of 1718, finally sinking off Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina (in those days named Topsail Inlet) a month later. The sinking of the Queen Anne's Revenge is described in full in "Chapter Three" of this novel.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 300 pages
• Publisher: Coastal Plains Publishing Company (November 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096073001X
• ISBN-13: 978-0960730018
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,727,373 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a glimpse behind the legend of Blackbeard, April 1, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Naples, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blackbeard: A Tale of Villainy and Murder in Colonial America (Hardcover)

Although the legend of Blackbeard, the most notorious of pirates, has survived for almost 300 years, this is the first novel that takes a look at a man and not a legend. With captivating dialogue and historically accurate descriptions, Margaret Hoffman arrests our attention and ensnares us in the intrigue of the last years of Blackbeard's life. Hoffman also breathes life into the characters of Governor Eden, who becomes Blackbeard's nemesis, and Mary Ormond, who becomes his guiding light. With a caste of characters, who are depicted with human traits, and not the traits of mythical beings, Hoffman paints a picture of life in Colonial America that is both fascinating and informative.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EPIC ADVENTURE DELIVERS, October 22, 2001

By 

Jazz Fan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blackbeard: A Tale of Villainy and Murder in Colonial America (Hardcover)

Blackbeard is a novel of action and romance that rings true historically and will satisfy any adventure fan. In the tradition of Edgar Rice Burroughs' John Carter and Tarzan, Hoffman has delivered a manly character whose lust for life, adventure and fortune is balanced by an equally ardent passion for love. The plot is tight and compelling, the characters well-conceived, and the fast-paced action sequences lend directly to the story. The title character, Blackbeard, is convincing and multi-dimensional. Hoffman deftly delivers a portrait of Blackbeard that satisfies expectations and surprises the reader with a clear picture of the deeply emotional, sometimes savage, but always real man behind the tall tales.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Passion and Epic Adventure, October 16, 2001

By 

Jazz Fan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blackbeard: A Tale of Villainy and Murder in Colonial America (Hardcover)

There is plenty of "villainy and murder" as promised in the title of Ms. Hoffman's riveting pirate novel, but they are only tastes of the overall sensuous feast of love and death in "Blackbeard." The author has successfully blended historical accuracy with the pirate mythos in a consistently intriguing story. Blackbeard's love interest and the subtle and thrilling erotic bond between the pirate and his lady are filled with the longing and romance found in many great adventures. Hoffman's novel follows in the tradition of Edgar Rice Burroughs' John Carter and Tarzan series, presenting a robust, manly character whose lust for action is matched by his passion for love. An exciting and satisfying read!