Book of Pirates [Paperback]

Howard Pyle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2004

Highly readable, magnificently illustrated tales recount the rip-roaring adventures of swashbuckling pirates and buccaneers of the Spanish Main. Includes "The Ghost of Captain Brand," "Tom Chist and the Treasure Box," "Jack Ballister's Fortunes," "The Ruby of Kishmoor," and other tales. Enhanced with 63 of the author's own illustrations, including 11 full-color plates.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

I read aloud from Howard Pyle’s The Book of Pirates. -- Ernest Hemingway --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

About the Author

Howard Pyle was born in Wilmington, Delaware in 1853. Having studied painting at the Drexel Institute in Philadelphia, he was one of the most influential illustrators of his time, known for his imagination and detail. He also taught painting and wrote many stories for young people, illustrating his own works. He died in 1911. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Pavilion Pr Inc (June 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414506023
• ISBN-13: 978-1414506029
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,097,362 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Gentlemen of Misfortune, November 10, 2005

By 

Christopher "chrysaetos" (Wengen-en-esprit) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of Pirates (Dover Children's Classics) (Paperback)

I was thrilled when my parents found their 1921 hardcover edition of Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates! The Dover edition includes an extra story, "The Ruby of Kishmoor," (which I have read separately) and far more painted illustrations or quick sketches for the reader to enjoy. The cover of the book is one of the more extraordinary paintings done by Mr. Pyle.

The confusing thing is the title: is the book fiction, or does Pyle relate the facts of certain pirates? By the second chapter, it is evident the book is fiction loosely wrapped around real-life elements and historical characters. For example, "With the Buccaneers" utilizes Henry Morgan and some of his affairs, while "Jack Ballister's Fortunes" is about the downfall of Blackbeard. Both are fictionally portrayed while containing elements and dialogue reportedly true to the events of the time.

The first chapter, Buccaneers and Marooners of the Spanish Main, is probably a reprinting of Pyle's article (or an excerpt from the book) of the same name. In it, Pyle breezes over Pierre François, Bartholomew Portuguese, and Roch Braziliano, all of whom are several minor characters who helped instigate, in their small way, the piracies of the 17th century. Pyle continues by recounting brief histories of Captain Henry Morgan, who was knighted by King Charles II, and Captain Avary, whose exploits twisted against him. Captain Kidd gets but one paragraph asserting (and correctly so) he was never a true pirate. Pyle then focuses on tales regarding Blackbeard in and around the Carolinas; Captain Low, who revenged against Yankees; and Pyle then concludes by mentioning the likes of "Ned" England, Captain Howell Davis, and of course the great Bartholomew Roberts.

The chapters that follow are merely short stories that disappoint when it comes to swashbuckling affairs, but are entertaining nevertheless, and more so, probably, for younger readers. My favorite yarn in this book is "Tom Chist and the Treasure Box," where a young lad espies Captain Kidd burying a treasure chest late at night. The tale is so simple and so romantic that I enjoyed it immensely. "Blueskin" is perhaps the most mature story and most readers will relate to the struggles of lost love found here. The story is the darkest and most frightening of the collection. Unfortunately, "The Ruby of Kishmoor" is the silliest (and lengthiest) tale, with a hero who is the least bright of all heros set on paper.

The stories simply aren't as well written or as imaginative as I had hoped. The endings almost always find the hero as a wealthy victor with a new bride. But the book can be read quickly while your crew careens the ship.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy it for the pictures, June 24, 2009

By 

Richard D. Silvius Jr. - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Book of Pirates (Dover Children's Classics) (Paperback)

The pictures (even the color ones) are poor reproductions. I have seen far better of Pyle's paintings. Too bad for me, as I bought this book for the artwork!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars disappointing, September 18, 2010

By 

ben - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Book of Pirates (Dover Children's Classics) (Paperback)

Pyle's pirate artwork is the finest in the genre , Unfortunately too little of it is on display in this book .