A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pirates

Johnson, Captain Charles

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1585745588 ISBN 13: 9781585745586

Publisher: The Lyons Press, 2002

Originally published in 1724, during the "Golden Age of Piracy", this famous account of the lives and exploits of the most notorious pirates of the day was an immediate sensation. "A General History of Robberies and Murders" with its dramatic writing style - which vividly captures the realities and savagery of the pirate existence - was thought, for a long time, to have been written by Daniel Defoe. During it's nearly three hundred year history, this remarkable volume has become the main source for scholars researching the famous female pirates Mary Read and Anne Bonny, as well as being largely responsible for the posthumous fame of the legendary Blackbeard and Captain Kidd. With highly detailed and accurate accounts of notorious pirates in all their gruesome glory, this is a must-have volume for anyone with an interest in the swashbuckling side of history.

From the Back Cover:

Originally published in 1724, this famous account of the lives and exploits of the most notorious pirates of the day was an immediate success. Written by the mysterious Captain Johnson (who was for some years thought to be Robinson Crusoe author Daniel Defoe), it appeared in the book world at a time now described as "The Golden Age of Piracy."With his dramatic writing style, which vividly captures the realities of their savage existence, the author documents specific events, including trials, of a number of the most feared pirates. Highly detailed, these accounts ensure the pirates were accurately depicted in all their gruesome glory. Indeed, the work has become the main source for scholars hoping to learn more about the female pirates Mary Read and Anne Bonny (both of whom escaped execution by being pregnant), and was largely responsible for the posthumous fame of Blackbeard and Captain Kidd.From Long John Silver to Captain Hook, pirates have been figures of horror and fascination for centuries. That these literary creations grew from factual evidence, much of it from this book, only serves to fire the imagination and keep their stories alive. In the ensuing 270 years since its first publication, A General History of the Pirates has come to be generally regarded as the classic study of one of the most popular subjects in maritime history. (7 x 9 1/4, 384 pages, illustrations)

About the Author:

Captain Johnson was for some years thought to be Robinson Crusoe author Daniel Defoe. His exact identity is still unkown. David Cordingly is the author of the bestselling Under the Black Flag, Life Among the Pirates, Seafaring Women, The Billy Ruffian, and Cochrane: The Real Master and Commander. He was Keeper of Pictures and Head of Exhibitions at the National Maritime Museum for twelve years, where he organized such exhibitions as "Captain James Cook, Navigator," "The Mutiny on the Bounty," and "Pirates: Fact and Fiction." He lives by the sea in Brighton, England.