Pirate (Eyewitness Books (Knopf Library)) [Hardcover]

Richard Platt (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Series: Eyewitness Books (Knopf Library)

Take a close-up look at the colorful--and cruel--robbers of the sea. Learn who devised the terrifying Jolly Roger, how a surprisingly disciplined life was maintained aboard pirate ships, and what cunning ruses pirates used to lure merchants to their doom.  

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8?While stunning, full-color photographs and illustrations continue to be the hallmark of this series, one shouldn't overlook the accompanying texts. Platt looks at the subject of piracy from the time of ancient Greece to the 19th century in double-page topic treatments. Readers are introduced to privateers, buccaneers, and corsairs, and told how they differ. Illustrations of various types of pirate ships, and the merchant vessels that were most often their targets, are particularly effective. Unfortunately, maps are few and far between and those included are too small and poorly labeled to be of much use. Building contains all of the virtues of other "Eyewitness" books, but is hampered by trying to cover too much territory. The history of building techniques, materials, and philosophy from earth-and-thatch houses to cathedrals and skyscrapers is crammed into the 64-page format. Some of the technical terms introduced, e.g., "plinth," are not adequately explained, and there is no glossary. Despite their drawbacks, both books are suitable additions to libraries.?David N. Pauli, Missoula Public Library, MT
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

...a mini museum between the covers of a book. [Eyewitness series] -- The New York Times

These books' striking visual impact will draw in even the most casual readers. [Eyewitness series] -- School Library Journal --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 63 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (April 25, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679972552
• ISBN-13: 978-0679972556
• Product Dimensions: 20.6 x 0.4 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,382,089 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Richard Platt has been writing for children since 1992. One of his books, Castle Diary, was shortlisted for the Kate Maschler Award, The Times Education Supplement award, and a History Today prize. His Pirate Diary won the Kate Greenaway Medal 2002, the Silver Smarties Award 2002, and won the 'Best Book With Facts' prize in the Blue Peter Book Awards 2003.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So much stuff!, July 14, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pirate (Eyewitness Books) (Hardcover)

This book gives lots of fascinating information about the weapons and tactics pirates used. The information is divided into small fact capsules with illustrations, which keeps it from ever being boring or overwhelming. And there's so much on a page that the book's worth re-reading several times, in case of something missed or forgotten. A gotta-have for the piratically-minded!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of "Pirate", March 5, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Pirate (Eyewitness Books) (Hardcover)

While this series is generally aimed at readers of a younger age, these magnificently illustrated books are fascinating for adults as well. "Pirate" is no exception. It is a gloriously readable book with profuse illustrations covering the history of piracy from ancient Greece to the 1800's. Dozens of captioned pictures and paragraphs of text make this a great book for browsing through when you just don't feel like serious reading. The book itself is nothing like a children's book. They could market this as an adult book without changing a thing

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shiver me timbers, this book be scurvylicious!!, January 28, 2001

By 

yarden "yarden" (portland, or) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eyewitness: Pirate (Hardcover)

DK eyewitness books are some of the greatest non-fiction books around. The distinctive white background and high-quality photography gives this book an edge over any other pirate picture book. And -- these pictures are real! They're beautiful photos of historically piratey things, accompanied by informative captions and text.

Learn about Anne Bonny, a fearsome female pirate, peruse the pictures of pirate treasure, from Spanish doubloons to richly ornamented crosses. Compare the different pirate flags, and learn about who made each one. Check out the different types of ships, authentic pirate clothes and weapons, and a storehouse of other REAL pirate information.

If you know someone (young or old) who is fascinated by all things pirate, then you must introduce them to this book! It's a visual crash course in pirateness, and it's excellent!