Piracy and Plunder: A Murderous Business [Hardcover]

Milton Meltzer (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

When people think of pirates, they usually envision swashbuckling, adventurous figures who spend their time searching for buried treasure. But this is a distorted, romantic view. In reality, pirates were little more than thieves and murderers dedicated to plundering, looting, robbery, and enslavement. Milton Meltzer, who has been called "arguably the best writer of social history for children and adolescents ever," uncovers the true-and often bloody, always fascinating-stories of pirates and piracy, both past and present. Here are the real Blackbeard and Captain Kidd-and other notorious pirates-as well as the forms of piracy that plague us today. Meltzer's vivid, well-researched text and Bruce Waldman's striking monoprint illustrations give readers an unforgettable look at this nefarious world.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"This book aims to tell the true story of pirates and piracy," writes Meltzer (Ten Queens: Portraits of Women of Power) in his foreword, and tell it he does, ripping the lid off the Errol Flynn-inspired, romantic version to expose the actual cruel and bloody history. From as far back as references in Homer's Odyssey to the Viking raiders and such larger-than-life figures as Blackbeard, Sir Henry Morgan and Captain Kidd, Meltzer offers a broad historical overview of crime on the high seas and explores the roots of what drove men (and women) to piracy including unemployment, mutiny and simple greed. In a series of brief, easily digestible sections, the author paints a vivid picture of unsavory pirate life around the globe (from Chinese pirates to those who stalked the seas outside of Rome during the time of Spartacus in 73 B.C.). He reveals their code of conduct, connection to the slave trade and their thinly veiled alias as "licensed pirates" or privateers (with such renowned historical figures as Sir Francis Drake), and takes readers up through the modern-day, subtler form of piracy the violation of international copyright laws. Meltzer aims this strong material at older readers and it is not for the weak of stomach (there are vivid descriptions of some of the more gruesome forms of pirate torture, as well as a mention of gang rape). The book is very valuable in debunking the romantic myths that have grown up around this criminal society. Waldman's darkly evocative artwork, a somber swirl of line and color, effectively echoes the edgy tone of the text. Ages 10-up.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-Meltzer once again lives up to his reputation as a fine author of nonfiction. While there are many other books available on the subject, this one offers a visually stimulating and educational alternative. Readers will obtain a realistic and unromanticized view of pirates, understanding the motives behind their cruel acts of violence and greed. The author goes back to the ancient Greeks and describes accounts of piracy in Homer's The Odyssey, in chronicles of Viking raiders, through to the present day. He includes Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, and other notorious figures. Waldman's evocative artwork reinforces the dark tone of the content. Gray text boxes appear throughout, telling about familiar people like Thomas Jefferson and Julius Caesar who attempted to deal with the problem of piracy. This title has enormous appeal for students writing reports and will attract history buffs and general readers as well.

Carrie Lynn Cooper, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1st edition (October 29, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525458573
• ISBN-13: 978-0525458579
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,920,673 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Remember the Audience, May 12, 2006

By 

David Stapleton (California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Piracy and Plunder: A Murderous Business (Hardcover)

Milton Meltzer has a wonderful dissertation on piracy, making a valiant effort to expose the many misconceptions and myths and imparting the brutal truths. The sections are brief and to the point, easy reading for the target juvenile audience. Waldman's illustrations are striking and dark and very appropriate for the harsh content that Meltzer presents. The topics covered include: types and origins of pirates, pirate tactics, a few biographical sketches on some of the big names like Morgan, Read, Ching Shih, among others, slavery and a selected bibliography of additional sources.

While I found the book interesting, I could not help but keep thinking that Meltzer had targeted the wrong audience. The content speaks of rape, slavery and the violence and brutality of pirates, hardly the subject matter for a juvenile reader. At 86 pages, the book is too short to be very meaningful as other than a long essay to the older adolescent or adult reader who might benefit from the clarity of the author's prose.

My bottom line is to recommend staying with the Eyewitness type of books on Pirates or perhaps Angus Konstam's History of Pirates if looking for something longer.
P-)

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Piracy, A Nasty Business....., March 3, 2002

By 

Roz Levine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Piracy and Plunder: A Murderous Business (Hardcover)

In his Foreword, Milton Meltzer states the obvious: "Many books have been published about pirates. So many that you may wonder why write still another?" The simple answer to this question, is to finally set the record straight. Pirates have been so romanticized over the years in movies, plays, and books, that we all think of them as swashbuckling Erol Flynns, silly and ineffective Captain Hooks, or basically good-hearted Long John Silvers, when in reality they were brutal and vicious, violent and greedy murderers and thieves. Mr Meltzer's well researched, intriguing, and realistic book details the rich history of this dirty business from the ancient Greeks and Vikings to the present. His vivid and engaging text is riveting, and not for the faint of heart, and is complemented by Bruce Waldman's dark and ominous artwork. Perfect for youngsters 12 and older, Piracy & Plunder is enlightening non-fiction at its very best, and an absorbing and fascinating book that definitely shouldn't be missed.

5.0 out of 5 stars YA Book, August 18, 2011

By 

Rachel Parks "Rachel Parks" (Salisbury MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Piracy and Plunder: A Murderous Business (Hardcover)

I got this book for my YA Resources class. I had never read this author. The book was great and came in time for my class paper.