Pirates [Hardcover]

John Matthews (Author)

Book Description

At last the ultimate book of pirates is here! Inside is the stuff of legend, where tales of adventure and intrigue are written in blood. Read about Blackbeard and Captain Kidd. Learn about walking the plank and buried treasure. Discover what was like aboard a pirate ship -- from a pirate's strict code of conduct to the punishments that awaited those that broke them.

All the intrigue, adventure, and grizzly details are brought to life in this lavish hardcover package jam packed with fact and fiction, pirate lore, and amazing memorabilia, including:

• a booklet of pirate slang
• a genuine advertisement to recruit pirates
• a booklet of pirate biographies
• a letter from William the III to Captain Kidd
• a pullout featuring pirate weapons
• a treasure map
• a wanted poster for Blackbeard
• sample playing cards
• as well as flaps and fold outs galore!

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The dark, jacketless cover of Matthews' Pirates, one of the most striking covers in recent memory, features a mottled-white skull with a gleaming gold tooth, a patch over one eye socket, and, in the other, a red "jewel" imbedded in the hardcover boards. A browser's delight, this introduction to seventeenth- and eighteenth-century pirates in the Caribbean, printed on extra-heavy stock, offers plenty of information in a colorfully illustrated, highly accessible format. Nearly every double-page spread has a special feature: a facsimile of a document or playing cards to be slipped out of envelopes, fold-out pages, small books glued onto large pages. But even should some of these less-permanent extras abandon ship, there's still plenty to interest pirate fans, from the "Pirate Gallery" of short biographies to the detailed illustration of the vessel Queen Anne's Revenge, its parts carefully labeled. A time line, a glossary, and short lists of source books and recommended Web sites round out the presentation. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

John Matthews is the author of numerous books including the #1 New York Times Best-Seller, PIRATES and the highly successful King Arthur for Carlton Books. He has a long-held fascination for the subject of King Arthur. He lives in London, England.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers; 1St Edition edition (May 23, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416927344
• ISBN-13: 978-1416927341
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 12 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #639,230 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #98 in Books > Children's Books > Transportation > Boats & Ships

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Useful Resource and Just Plain Fun, July 21, 2006

By 

K. Montgomery (Columbus, GA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pirates (Hardcover)

This is an attractively put together book on the history and details of pirate life. I have been searching for a resource on the subject that presents information on pirates in such a way as to not seem tedious and boring, but instead inspiring and fun (which, as we all know--pirates are fun!). With all the interest sparked on the pillaging bands of men, and sometimes women, with recent films this volume is a must have for anyone with an interest in pirates. Of course, it would obviously appeal to children and is definitely appropriate for that tender age group, but adults can also find much to appreciate.

Meant to be a fun, yet brief overview of pirate life in general, if anyone is wanting more detailed information on a specific aspect of pirate life and history, this is likely still a good starting point for your research. It covers everything from modes of dress,the weapons they used and specific types of pirate ships (especially useful for me, as I had no idea of the names for them in the first place!) to a nice selection of some of the more notoriously known pirates in history and the type of treatment they could expect after capture. There are loads of little tidbits of information besides the main paragraphs, stashed underneath pictures in captions too, so look closely. The book is also slightly interactive with bits of papers and notes that one can pull out and actually hold, such as a privateer's license. So if you're interested in a book on pirates that presents information in an interesting, completely un-textbook-like format, this is the book for you. A treasured item on my bookshelf for sure!

Breakdown of sections (two page spreads per section):
*History (with a nice photo of Wil Turner and Captain Jack Sparrow for all you fans)
*Dress Code
*Ships and Flags
*Life on Board
*Pirate Gallery (Short bios about famous pirates)
*Pirate Lore (setting pirate myths straight)
*Pirate Attack! (What it was like when pirates pillaged/ sieged, the G rated version)
*Treasure
*Life on Land (What pirates did for "fun" while not on ship)
*Capture and Trial
*Punishment (safe for the kids--no gory details)
*Fiction
*Timeline

27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How to Be a Hit with Pirate Lovin' Youngsters:, July 19, 2006

By 

Bart King (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pirates (Hardcover)

1. Read laudatory book review of PIRATES praising it for its graphic appeal and "high nutritional value" regarding historical information.

2. Take advantage of seven-year-old nephew's birthday to purchase PIRATES. Note book's handsome packaging, heavy-duty pages, and clever interactive features,

3. Deliver gift to nephew. Slyly watch as he first gleefully, and then most seriously, begins investigating its contents. Revel in the glory of being "the coolest uncle ever." Try to steal book back later to read it some more.

4. Thank John Matthews for making all of this possible.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shiver Me Timbers, November 9, 2006

By 

John Anderson (Ventura, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pirates (Hardcover)

This is a great book about pirates, with just the right atmosphere for the subject. The skull on the cover has a jewel set into an eye socket and there are many things for children to discover inside. There are authentic looking documents that can be removed from envelopes and hidden pockets, including maps and proclamations. It has a wealth of information about well-known pirates and their Jolly Roger flag designs, weapons, ships and other historical information. Be warned that there are images that may be disturbing to younger children, especially in the "Punishment" section (although they don't seem to affect my son, who is 3!).