The privateer (A Signet book) [Paperback]

Josephine Tey (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 303 pages
• Publisher: New American Library (1970)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0007FIA78
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,551,188 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Josephine Tey is one of the best-known and best-loved of all crime writers. She began to write full-time after the successful publication of her first novel, The Man in the Queue (1929), which introduced Inspector Grant of Scotland Yard. In 1937 she returned to crime writing with A Shilling for Candles, but it wasn't until after the Second World War that the majority of her crime novels were published. Josephine Tey died in 1952, leaving her entire estate to the National Trust.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very fine historical novel, August 4, 2006

By 

Neal J. Pollock (VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Privateer (Hardcover)

This was Josephine Tey's (Gordon Daviot's) last published work before her death. It's one of only 3 non-mystery novels. Only her final (8th) mystery, "The Singing Sands" was published later (posthumously). The other 2 non-mysteries are: Kif (rather good, especially for one of her early works) & The Expensive Halo which I haven't read yet. Her work greatly improved over time, so if you've only read some of her early works (e.g. Man in the Queue or A Shilling for Candles) try a later one. This one is an historical novel about the life of Henry Morgan--some call him pirate, others privateer. Similar to her excellent mystery novel, Daughter of Time, Tey debunks the stereotype of her protagonist. In this work, she outdoes herself--providing a deeper characterization than in her mystery novels. This rivals Daughter of Time as her best work (though I haven't read The Singing Sands yet). This work is long on adventure as well. It's a sea story, it's a love story, it's a history...As usual, Tey includes wonderful languaging, humorous dialog, and delightful supporting characters (e.g. Elizabeth & Bart). It's also, by far, her longest novel & (of the 9 I've read so far) the only one mostly set in the New World. It's a delicious gem. Enjoy!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Life of Henry Morgan, November 12, 2004

By 

Kara Ortiez (Hamilton, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Privateer (Hardcover)

The man behind the rum. Morgan was a great leader, not the blood thirsty pirate that Exquemelin painted him to be. Many books have been written about him, even Steinbeck took a turn at the legend in his first novel Cup of Gold. Body builder Steve Reeves also played him in Morgan the Pirate. Tey does a great job of capturing Morgan the man. Well researched, it is a great read for all those that love pirate adventures; read great accounts of Morgan's sack of Maracaibo and his amazing capture of Panama, the greatest pirate feat of all time!!!