Customer Reviews

Pirateology: The Pirate Hunter's Companion (Ologies)

5 star:		(56)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having a grandson that has been become enamored with pirates after viewing Hollywood's latest pirate blockbuster, PIRATEOLOGY seemed a logical birthday gift that exceeded my expectations. In all fairness, I did not read this book cover to cover, but did skim it fairly thoroughly before giving it my 11 year old grandson. He was elated!

To my fascination and amusement, while having him at my house for the weekend, he came running out of his bedroom every few minutes to describe to me, in graphic detail, some newfound lore that sparked his interest. Surprisingly, he even learned a great deal about such things as navigation, knot making and flags.

The book is laden with extraordinary pictures sure to catch the eye of every young pirate enthusiast. The front cover has an inset compass and the back cover, an inset faux ruby. Along the way, the pages contain envelopes of other hidden treasures. And, oh yeah, the story is pretty entertaining too. This is all presented on a heavy parchment type paper to lend even further pirate authenticity to this fine work.

I highly recommend this gift for young pirate enthusiasts. This is also a book parents will enjoy sharing with their kids.

Technically, this is a fictional work; however, I feel more comfortable lumping it in with the family of pre-teen picture books that cover the history of pirates during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, a period more commonly referred to as the Golden Age of Piracy. The author uses the story of a fictional pirate hunter chasing an equally fictional female pirate to provide a framework on which to hang tidbits of pirate history.

Like the Eyewitness, Discovery and Kingfisher family of youth picture books, this one is crowded with illustrations and brief passages of historical prose that provide a basic background on piracy suitable for children and those with limited attention spans. There the comparison stops, Pirateology goes well beyond by providing an interactive element with the numerous foldouts, mock notebooks, sealed envelopes with inserted maps and notes, and variety of other interactive items sure to keep the reader engaged.

The prose is not difficult, but does include enough vocabulary to stretch young minds. The artwork varies from a vintage sepia look to colorful original artwork. The overall presentation is excellent and looks reasonably durable. I would recommend that use of the book by those under 9 years of age be supervised to preserve the various ties and foldouts as well as to prevent misplacing the inserts and notes. Bottom line is that this is a fun introduction to the history of piracy during the Golden Age. For those beyond the level of such a children's book I might suggest the various Osprey books on buccaneers and pirates by Angus Konstam.
P-)

This book is said to be suitable for ages 8 (3rd Grade) and up. It's also extremely suited for grandparents. It combines an interesting story line, Captain Lubber is sailing the world searching for the vicious female pirate Arabella Drummond. The book purports to be his journal or log of the trip and what he learned along the way. It is printed on a heavy parchment paper, and filled with activities requiring that you look at a little book glued onto a page, or tie knots with the strings on another page.

It is a heavy well made book with a compass inset into the front cover - you have to have a compass to go looking for pirates - jewels set into the East and West position, and a large jewel in the back cover - pirates like jewels.

I hate to be overly picky, but there is one error in the book. At one point it says that pirates liked this kind of ship called a sloop. But the picture shows a topsail schooner instead. Oh well, maybe this was put in intentionally so you can demonstrate your knowledge to your grandkid. Then again, maybe he'll just think you're weird.

This book is a great read for children and adults alike...(because we all know that we are all still kids at heart!)
With it's inside peaks and interactive panels it is hard not to get drawn up into this book. So come let your imagination free for a few minutes and read this book. Discover hidden treasure and even some pirate letters with hidden messages on the back!
Who knows it may even inspire you to go on a treasure hunt yourself!
Arr

My son absolutely loved this book! He first saw it in a book store in the mall. His eyes grew wide, his face beamed and he jumped up and down pleading with me to buy it for him. I ordered it from Amazon and surprised him with it a few weeks later and I don't think he has put it down since. This book, like the other "ologies," is very SPECIAL! Every inch of it from the compass on the front to the faux ruby on the back is unique and beautiful. My son even brought it to school for show and tell. There is no better book for the little pirate in your life!

if you want to learn about pirates this is the book for you! it teaches you about navigation and even tying knots for all ye scallawags out there.but what really surprised me was that the original unadapted version was actually(your not going to believe this)found under the ocean!although the socalled author "william lubber " or "arabella drummond are'nt real, it's still packed with information about those old thieves that have so many stories. i liked this book a lot and if you are interested in pirates as much as i am you should really get this book!

I am a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and I am coming out of the closet! In spite of my advanced age, I love the 'ology books. Since Dragonology, my gift to my younger grandchildren (and to myself each Christmas) is the latest 'ology book. Each one is rich and beautiful and fun AND I can't believe the price. Pirateology is no exception. My most destructive grandchild sees his 'ology books as a treasure and is very careful with them. Every child, young and old, should have the whole set and spend the year wondering what's next!

I bought this as a birthday gift for my six year old son. He couldn't have been happier. Just to show you how interesting it is, I kept it in my office at work so he wouldn't find it before his birthday. I can't tell you the number of people who stopped to read the book and told me how interesting it was. I even had people who asked me for ordering information on the book so they could get it for their children. This book is inexpensive and a great read for all ages. All the little pockets, fold outs, letters and maps are a great touch. The compass on the front is a great eye catcher.

While this is graded for ages 3 and older, it's reviewed here so that all ages will see it, as nobody with an interest in pirates will want to miss the captivating, gorgeous PIRATEOLOGY: A PIRATE HUNTER'S COMPANION. Here is the journal of Captain William Lubber, who sailed in search of female pirate Arabella Drummond. Dugald Steer edits an account which is vivid, packed with photos and illustration, and holds pockets of 'letters' throughout, along with a compass embedded in its cover. Maps and drawings are excellent and entire families will appreciate the coverage; not just kids~

I got this for my 7 year old nephew for Christmas last year...and it was really hard for me to wrap it and not open it to play with all of the neat things on each page. There are pirate maps, gold, "old letters" to untie and unravel. What fun for a pirate loving child!!! (or grown up for that matter). by the way...he loved it :)