Customer Reviews

Pirates: Terror on the High Seas (Special Editions (Military))

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This is a collection of three Osprey books, so you need to think in terms of an adult version of the Eyewitness picture books. You shouldn't expect an exhaustively comprehensive treatment of the subject matters, after all each book tends to be only 1/4 inch thick.

So, with expectations aligned, this collection includes Buccaneers 1620-1700, Pirates 1660-1730 and Privateers and Pirates 1730-1830. There are quite a few pictures to compliment the text, including maps, wood cuts and those provided by Angus McBride.

In Buccaneers the topics covered include their origins, attire, weapons, ships, havens and tactics. Konstam gives us some brief biographies of a few of the famous names like Morgan, Myngs, Nau, Grammont and de Graaf.

In Pirates the topics covered include their origins, dress, tactics, flags, ports and ships. Konstam gives us some brief biographies of a few of the famous names like Teach, Bonny, Reade, Rackam, Vane, Every, Bonnet, Kidd and the Dread Pirate Roberts.

In Privateers the topics covered include their origins, methods, ports and ships. Konstam gives us some brief biographies of a few of the famous names like Haraden, Talbot, Jones, Surcouf, Boyle, Laffite, de Soto and Gibert.

An excellent collection of overviews suitable for adolescents and adults, for more on piracy through the ages I suggest Konstam's The History of Pirates.
P-)

A very well written overview of Pirates. This book has a lot of good pictures and drawings as well as very interesting details on the different types and eras of the pirates rise and fall. A good read.

Pirates: Terror on the High Seas is a great pirate book, a must for any pirate buffs library!!