Three hundred years ago, pirates ruled the oceans. Attacking and robbing the rich trading ships that crossed their paths, the most successful pirates acquired fabulous treasure and lived like kings. But a pirate's career was short and cruel. These stories tell a tale of hardship and brutality, bringing to life the flamboyant characters of the most famous pirate captains and the determination of the men who set out to capture them. Gripping and engaging for readers who prefer real life to fiction.

Who were the world’s most successful pirates, and why? “Interesting and very readable . . . Little clearly knows his subject well.” —International Journal of Naval History More than just simple retellings of tried-and-true stories of buccaneers on the high seas, this book focuses on pirating tactics of the 1500s through the 1800s to give an in-depth view of how pirates functioned through history. Stories of the thirteen most famous pirates as they raid major ships and pillage coastal villages reveal how the pirates approached such invasions—and how they managed to elude authorities and sometimes whole navies. In addition, vivid firsthand descriptions recreate the excitement, fear, and fury of the most famous raids by these outlaws of the ocean. Delving deep to show piracy’s profound impact on trade, politics, military strategy, culture, and individual lives, the book sifts truth from myth, carefully reconstructs the geopolitical context of each story, and analyzes the tactics that brought the pirates glory, or led to their downfall. Also included are archival images gathered from around the world by the author, a former Navy SEAL and consultant on maritime security.

Captain Charles Johnson's 'The True Life Stories of the Most Notorious Pirates (Vol. 1&2)' is a vivid and detailed account of the lives of infamous pirates during the Golden Age of Piracy. Written in a captivating and thrilling narrative style, Johnson brings to life the daring adventures, betrayals, and treacheries of these ruthless buccaneers. Drawing from historical records and first-hand accounts, Johnson provides readers with an authentic glimpse into the high seas escapades of pirates such as Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, and Black Bart. The book is a valuable resource for scholars and history enthusiasts interested in the pirate lore of the 18th century. The elaborate descriptions of pirate ships, rituals, and battles immerse the reader in the brutal world of piracy, shedding light on the motivations and complexities of these outlaws. Captain Charles Johnson, believed to be a pseudonym for an unknown author, is said to have been a mariner or sailor with firsthand knowledge of the pirate lifestyle. His mysterious background adds an air of authenticity to his accounts, making 'The True Life Stories of the Most Notorious Pirates' a compelling read for those fascinated by maritime history and adventure tales. Johnson's meticulous research and compelling storytelling make this book a must-read for anyone intrigued by the enigmatic world of pirates and privateers. I highly recommend 'The True Life Stories of the Most Notorious Pirates' to readers seeking an exhilarating and informative journey into the hidden world of piracy and the captivating characters who filled the seas with danger and intrigue.

Come along on a great pirate adventure with hand-picked literary classics and true stories about the legendary outlaws: History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pirates (Captain Charles Johnson) The Book of Buried Treasure The Pirates' Own Book Treasure Island (R. L. Stevenson) Captain Blood (Rafael Sabatini) Sea Hawk (Sabatini) Blackbeard: Buccaneer (R. D. Paine) Pieces of Eight (Le Gallienne) Captain Singleton (Defoe) Gold-Bug (Edgar Allan Poe) Hearts of Three (Jack London) The Dark Frigate (C. B. Hawes) Isle of Pirate's Doom (Robert E. Howard) Swords of Red Brotherhood (Howard) Queen of Black Coast (Howard) Black Vulmea (Howard) Afloat and Ashore (James F. Cooper) Homeward Bound (Cooper) Red Rover (Cooper) Facing the Flag (Jules Verne) Pirate Gow (Daniel Defoe) The King of Pirates (Defoe) The Pirate (Walter Scott) Rose of Paradise (Howard Pyle) Captain Sharkey (Arthur Conan Doyle) The Pirate (Frederick Marryat) Three Cutters (Marryat) Madman and the Pirate (R. M. Ballantyne) The Offshore Pirate (F. Scott Fitzgerald) Martin Conisby's Vengeance (J. Farnol) Coral Island (Ballantyne) Pirate of Panama (W. M. Raine) Under the Waves (Ballantyne) Pirate City (Ballantyne) Gascoyne (Ballantyne) Captain Boldheart (Dickens) The Ways of the Buccaneers (J. Masefield) Master Key (L. Frank Baum) Black Bartlemy's Treasure (J. Farnol) A Man to His Mate (J. Allan Dunn) Tales of the Fish Patrol (Jack London) Barbarossa—King of the Corsairs (E. H. Currey) Robinson Crusoe (Defoe) Jim Davis (J. Masefield) Peter Pan and Wendy (J. M. Barrie) Mysterious Island (Jules Verne) Count of Monte Cristo (Dumas) Ghost Pirates (W. H. Hodgson) The Pagan Madonna (H. MacGrath) A Pirate of the Caribbees (H. Collingwood) The Pirate Island (H. Collingwood) The Devil's Admiral (F. F. Moore) The Pirate of the Mediterranean (W. H. G. Kingston) The Black Buccaneer (Stephen W. Meader) The Third Officer (P. Westerman) Narrative of the Capture of the Ship Derby ...

With surprising tales of vicious mutineers, imperial riches, and high-seas intrigue, Black Flags, Blue Waters is “rumbustious enough for the adventure-hungry” (Peter Lewis, San Francisco Chronicle). Set against the backdrop of the Age of Exploration, Black Flags, Blue Waters reveals the surprising history of American piracy’s “Golden Age” - spanning the late 1600s through the early 1700s - when lawless pirates plied the coastal waters of North America and beyond. “Deftly blending scholarship and drama” (Richard Zacks), best-selling author Eric Jay Dolin illustrates how American colonists at first supported these outrageous pirates in an early display of solidarity against the Crown, and then violently opposed them. Through engrossing episodes of roguish glamour and extreme brutality, Dolin depicts the star pirates of this period, among them the towering Blackbeard, the ill-fated Captain Kidd, and sadistic Edward Low, who delighted in torturing his prey. Upending popular misconceptions and cartoonish stereotypes, Black Flags, Blue Waters is a “tour de force history” (Michael Pierce, Midwestern Rewind) of the seafaring outlaws whose raids reflect the precarious nature of American colonial life.