A General History of the Pyrates (Paperback)

~ Daniel Defoe (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Despite varying titles, these are essentially the same book. Published in 1724, Defoe's chronicle of the scourges of the sea was a smashing success, finding a wide audience eager for tales of those cutthroat sailors who flew the skull and crossbones. The Dover edition is more scholarly, including several essays on Defoe, indexes (ships, names, and places), photos, and a postscript. If you don't need any of that, save a couple of bucks and go with the Carroll & Graf edition.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Immensely readable history by the author of Robinson Crusoe incorporates the author’s celebrated flair for journalistic detail, and represents the major source of information about piracy in the early 18th century. Defoe recounts the daring and bloody deeds of such outlaws as Edward Teach (alias Blackbeard), Captain Kidd, Mary Read, Anne Bonny, many others. New Introduction provides insights into the origins and significance of this important historical work. Commentary and Notes. Indexes.

Product Details

• Paperback: 800 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (January 26, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486404889
• ISBN-13: 978-0486404882
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #55,872 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #20 in	Books > Nonfiction > Transportation > Ships > History
  #62 in	Books > History > World > Transportation > Ships

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The stories will blow you away, July 30, 2001

By	Rebecca Benchetrit (St-Laurent, Quebec Canada) - See all my reviews

Pyrates, when we think of them we think of good for nothing brutes who plagued the seas and made they're prisoners walk the plank, in fact it's far from the truth. First of all let me point out that the plank walking is a myth and that most pyrates were not blood thirsty murderers. Daniel DeFoe wrote an excellent book, he gives you enough background on the person or place, before you read about him or it. Pirates for the most part were saillors who had lost they're jobs after the big wars, and turned to robbing the great ships like the Great Monghol's vessels of silver, gold, fabrics, spices and goods. All the captains especially Blackbeard(yes there really was a blackbeard) have great and colorful personalities and backgrounds. My favorite story in here would have to be the sad story of Cpt. Thomas Tew, one of the bravest pyrates ever, why should I tell you his story, read it for yourself, it's tragic and inspiring a great read. For an interesting piece of work, filled with alot of information and short stories look no further than Daniel Defoe's: A Genereal history of pyrates.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So many knockoffs, this one gets it right, October 31, 2006

By	Vanesa Cardui "Pirate/Rock Star" (Calgary, AB Canada) - See all my reviews

This is the most complete and authoratative version of the General History that you'll be able to find. It contains both Volume 1 and Volume 2 and is superbly edited with extensive footnotes and a graceful treatment of the language. It preserves the eighteenth-century feel while making some subtle changes in spelling and punctuation to make it more comprehensive to us. Also, Volume 2 originally contained an appendix with corrections and additions to the biographies contained in Volume 1; this edition places those sections with the chapters in Volume 1 to which they correspond, and indicates clearly when this has been done. A word of warning: Defoe sometimes takes off on long tangents that digress quite far from the subject at hand, and these sections have not been ommitted; but as a reader I personally appreciate the editor letting me decide which parts I do or do not wish to read.

As a point of interest, I originally sought out this edition because it's the same one that David Cordingly used to write his excellent book Under the Black Flag. I highly recommend it for anyone seriously interested in piratology, history or literature.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Be advised this is the same book as Captain Johnson's, January 25, 2007

By	R. Bryant - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While excellent, this book is the same volume also published under the name of Captain Johnson, sold in a different edition, with a different cover, etc. I was in a rush to read several authentic pirate stories, and bought both books. Don't make the mistake I did!