There is a fascination surrounding the subject of pirates and pirate lore that centers around the romanticized impression of lawless, brutal ruffians pillaging ships, hunting for gold and treasure, and traveling in massive ships waving the skull-and-bones flag. The golden age of piracy produced many grandiose and notorious characters whose incredible stories have found their way into this one-of-a-kind book.
Originally published in 1735, The History and Lives of Notorious Pirates and Their Crews grippingly chronicles the adventures and misadventures of the most infamous pirates who ruled the high seas at the turn of the eighteenth century. From Captain Spriggsâ rampant use of torture on his victims, to Bartholomew Robertâs incredibly successful pirating career, Blackbeardâs legendary fearsome demeanor, and Captain Kiddâs tragic end, these truly enthralling stories of privateers turned bandits will leave readers on the edge of their seats.
Though the authorâs true identity is still debated, his book helped shape the very concept we hold of pirates todayâinfluencing such writers as J. M. Barrie, Rafael Sabatini, and Robert Louis Stevenson.
Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history--books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.