The riveting story of the slave ship Whydah,captured by pirates and later sunk in a fierce storm off the coast of Massachusetts, energizes this lavish companion book to a unique exhibition on a five-year U.S. tour. Packed with plunder from more than 50 captured ships, the Whydah was discovered by underwater explorer Barry Clifford in 1984. Now, for the first time, its treasure holds are unlocked for public view. More than 200 items were retrieved from the ocean floor: the telltale ship's bell, inscribed "Whydah Galley 1716"; coins and jewelry, buttons and cufflinks; muskets, cannons, and swords; everyday objects including teakettles and tableware, gaming tokens, and clay pipes. The artifacts provide an unprecedented glimpse into the raucous world of 18th-century pirating and shed light on the link between the slave trade and piracy during those tumultuous times. Built to transport human captives from Africa to the Caribbean, the Whydah made one such voyage before being captured in 1717 by Sam Bellamy, the boldest pirate of his day. Two months later, in one of the worst nor'easters ever, the ship sank, drowning all but 2 of the 146 people aboard. For anyone intrigued by the lore o... [Read More]

Cannibals.  Conquistadors.  Buccaneers.  Pirates.  Visions of cartoon characters dancing around a cauldron with an explorer tied inside. Balboa gazing on the Pacific Ocean.  De Leon and the fountain of youth. Pizarro conquering the Incas. Henry Morgan, in red, drinking spiced rum.  Smoke curling around Blackbeard as his cutlass slashes through the air. … all children's tales that mean nothing.  Today, we do not know who any of these people were, how they came to do what they did, or why they did it.  The struggle for power, freedom, and wealth that shaped the Caribbean for two and a half centuries has, since John Barrie created Peter Pan, been relegated to the same literary section as Barney the Dinosaur; yet, underneath the soil of the modern world, the roots are still there.  I started pulling them up on St. Croix, and the roots led to more roots, and more.  Islands connected, nations connected, and legends came to life.   Officially, St. Croix has flown seven flags over the last 500 years.  Before the American flag and the Danebrog, the Spanish came for gold, the Dutch to trade, the English to raid, and the Knights of St. John to be in charge. The French built a c... [Read More]

 The untold story of a heroic band of Caribbean pirates whose defiance of imperial rule inspired revolt in colonial outposts across the worldIn the early eighteenth century, the Pirate Republic was home to some of the great pirate captains, including Blackbeard, "Black Sam" Bellamy, and Charles Vane. Along with their fellow pirates—former sailors, indentured servants, and runaway slaves—this "Flying Gang" established a crude but distinctive democracy in the Bahamas, carving out their own zone of freedom in which servants were free, blacks could be equal citizens, and leaders were chosen or deposed by a vote. They cut off trade routes, sacked slave ships, and severed Europe from its New World empires, and for a brief, glorious period the Republic was a success.

Unstoppable husband and wife team Sam and Remi Fargo face off against an obsessive millionaire hunting for a lost treasure in this adventure in the #1 New York Times-bestselling seriesWhen husband and wife treasure hunters Sam and Remi Fargo try something new, a relaxing vacation, a detour to visit a rare bookstore leads to the discovery of a dead body. All signs point to a book in the store that may contain a secret map, an actual, ink-on-paper guide to a historic fortune.             The Fargos take up the challenge and find themselves flying from California to Arizona, from Jamaica to England. Racing against a vicious corporate raider with an unhealthy obsession for this particular treasure, Sam and Remi are slowed by a new betrayal at every turn. It can only mean one thing: someone on their team cannot be trusted. Buzzing with the chemistry and wit of Sam and Remi Fargo, Pirate reinvents the classic treasure hunt as only a Clive Cussler adventure can.

Discover the remarkable history of the Golden Age of Piracy in less than an hour...Free BONUS Inside!Pirates dominate movie box office profits, they are theme park entertainment, and they occupy a place in popular culture that has outlasted the era when they originally ruled the seas. Contemporary audiences who are safe from the pistols and cutlasses of the men who sailed the Caribbean, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans to prey upon ships and claim their cargo may find it hard to reconcile the perceived glamor of Captain Jack Sparrow with the authentic bloodlust and greed of the real pirates who killed without conscience, kidnapped innocent victims for ransom, and ravaged, bribed, and robbed their way into legend. Tragut Rais, Grace O’Malley, William Kidd, Blackbeard and their colleagues were dangerous adventurers who lived at a time when piracy was an economic enterprise which yielded both wealth and a hangman’s noose. Most pirates had a short life before they were captured and executed. A few lucky ones did die of natural causes, but they were rare. Nonetheless, those tales of swashbuckling adventure under the Jolly Roger continue to mesmerize us. Read more about the reality of the... [Read More]

The REAL Story of Pirates - Fun Facts, Tall Tales, and Awesome Activities offers fascinating information about life at sea during the "golden age of pirating" as well as brief profiles of famous pirates of the past.  There are over 40 illustrations, (most of which are meant to be colored), and descriptions of navigation devices, tools, and weapons used by pirates.You’ll learn other interesting facts, too. Every year, on September 19th, many people today participate in "International Talk Like a Pirate Day." Did you know that real pirates didn't really say things like “Argh!” and “Matey,” and “Walk the Plank?”  This pretend-style of "pirate talk," which is often heard in films and on TV, is actually based upon the fictional character "Long John Silver," as portrayed in the Disney movie Treasure Island by actor Robert Newton.Did you know, too, that General George Washington's military commanders were able to defeat the powerful 18th century British Navy (the young American Colonies had only 31 converted ships to call their own) with of the help of privateers, whose numbers included freed slaves? Privateers were sailors who became pirates for hire. Di... [Read More]

In this lively debut work of history, Edward Kritzler tells the tale of an unlikely group of swashbuckling Jews who ransacked the high seas in the aftermath of the Spanish Inquisition. At the end of the fifteenth century, many Jews had to flee Spain and Portugal. The most adventurous among them took to the seas as freewheeling outlaws. In ships bearing names such as the Prophet Samuel, Queen Esther, and Shield of Abraham, they attacked and plundered the Spanish fleet while forming alliances with other European powers to ensure the safety of Jews living in hiding. Filled with high-sea adventures–including encounters with Captain Morgan and other legendary pirates–Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean reveals a hidden chapter in Jewish history as well as the cruelty, terror, and greed that flourished during the Age of Discovery.

This live-action docudrama separates fact from fiction as it brings to rousing life the golden age of pirates. Hear the legends and discover the theatrical lore of such feared men and women as Blackbeard, who mixed gunpowder with his rum; Captain William Kidd, the so-called gentleman pirate; Captain Morgan, the Welsh buccaneer, Bartholomew Roberts, from whom guard ships fled; and Mary Reed and Anne Bonny, who out-plundered and outfought most men. Sail, if ye dare, along with historys most infamous and outrageous rogues. Extra Features: Trailer Treasure Chest - Relive the glory days of the great Hollywood pirate movies, with the original theatrical previews for such swashbuckling classics as The Black Swan; Captain Blood; The Crimson Pirate; and Treasure Island. These beloved films are rated Arrrrgh! Sir Francis Drake and the Privateers - Not all pirates were cruel and brutal. Meet Sir Francis Drake, a pirate licensed by the English government to harass and plunder Spanish ships. Captain Morgan and the Buccaneers - Set sail with Captain Morgan, who fancied himself an aristocratic pirate, and led supposedly the most democratic gang of buccaneers in the Seven Seas.

Historical romance novelist Kate Inskip needs a break. Divorced, overworked, and completely stressed out, her writing buddies decide to surprise her with exactly what she needs--a vacation on a remote island that boasts a rich history and a crumbling castle built by an 18th century pirate. It’s the kind of story Kate can’t possibly pass up and it will allow her to turn her thoughts from the reality of today to the romance of the past. But things don't go according to plan. A long flight, lost luggage, and a missed connection leave Kate wishing she’d stayed home. A knife-wielding mugger is the last straw.Too late to help, but just in time to enjoy the show, Jared Hawthorne catches a harried woman in the act of kicking the local thief into submission. As far as Jared is concerned, Kate is the most interesting tourist to arrive on Amethyst Island in a very long time. Kate, however, has already concluded that a month-long vacation on the island is about thirty days too long. Still, Jared Hawthorne is starting to look very familiar...

All ye young mateys, enter if ye dare the cutthroat, ruthless world of pirates! This fascinating guide introduces you to some of the most infamous brigands of the high seas, including the real figures behind legends such as Blackbeard. Find out why pirates did what they did, how they got away with it . . . and what happened if they were

Heres the true story of the British Royal Navys struggle with the greatest pirate gang of all time. Drawing on archives in Great Britain and the United States, award-winning journalist and author Colin Woodard separates fact from fiction, revealing the real motivations and struggles of Blackbeard, Black Sam Bellamy, Calico Jack Rackham, and

This unique collection of "THE PIRATES OF THE HIGH SEAS – Know Your Infamous Buccaneers, Their Exploits & Their Real Histories (9 Books in One Edition)" has been designed and formatted to the highest digital standards. A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pirates (Captain Charles Johnson) Book of Pirates: Fiction, Fact & Fancy (Howard Pyle) The Book of Buried Treasure: Being a True History of the Gold, Jewels, and Plate of Pirates (Ralph D. Paine) The Pirates Own Book: Authentic Narratives of the Most Celebrated Sea Robbers (Charles Ellms) Sea-Wolves of the Mediterranean (Currey