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A Merry Read an Bonney - Reading Suggestions

Here's Treasure Island online:

<a href="http://www.deadmentellnotales.com/onlinetexts/treasure/island.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.deadmentellnotales.com/onlinete...re/island.shtml</a>

With nice pics, too! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheeky" border="0" alt="icon_mrgreen1.gif" />

Great pirate site, BTW. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheers" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" />
 
A very nice list of fictional books Sir Chris. Catalina, you are correct, a very nice pirate site you posted.

A book I just completed reading is one you may find interesting called "The Pirate Hunter," by Richard Zacks. The book is about the story of Captain Kidd based on historical research and documentation. Was Captain Kidd the ruthless buccaneer he is portrayed as being or was he a pirate hunter. This book attempts to answer this question with newly discovered documentation that was assumed lost through the ages. An interesting thought provoking book.
 
<img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_eek.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":shock:" border="0" alt="icon_eek.gif" /> Thanks Sir Chris
 
For you Civil War enthusiast's you may want to read R. Thomas Campbell's book "Gray Thunder." The book is about the exploits of the Confererate States Navy. The book is basically a fastpased overview of this navy.
 
I only found Patrick O'Brian's books through the movie, but I'm loving them. Actually ordered the hardcover set that is coming out soon.

But, like others here, I'm fascinated by these recommendations of older period books. I'll be sure to get some of them.
 
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I only found Patrick O'Brian's books through the movie, but I'm loving them.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm working my way through the series myself, and really enjoying them as well. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheers" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" />

I'm always a little surprised when I find myself caught up in the actions that are going on within a book, and throughout the series I have found myself happy, sad, worried, angry, basically the whole spectrum of emotions, as a result of Patrick O'Brian's storytelling.

Regarding this thread, is there anyway we can make it a sticky so it is easier to find? I ask because I've noticed that at least three people have asked for recommendations for reading material, and if this thread was a sticky it would be easier for newer members to find. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheers" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" />
 
<!--`QuoteBegin-SirChristopherMings`+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SirChristopherMings)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Regarding this thread, is there anyway we can make it a sticky so it is easier to find?[/quote]Good idea, SirChristopher!

I'll ask, as I can't seem to find the way to do it myself. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" />
 
Another book some members might be interested in is "A History of Pirates," by Nigel Cawthorne. The book examines piracy in all its forms and in detail the lives of the more notorious individuals.
 
<!--`QuoteBegin-Meigger`+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Meigger)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Another book some members might be interested in is "A History of Pirates,"  by Nigel Cawthorne.  The book examines piracy in all its forms and in detail the lives of the more notorious individuals.[/quote]

Sounds great, mate!
 
For you Patrick O'Brian fans of his hero Jack Aubrey, you may want to pick up the book called "Ships Miscellany," published by Michael O'Mara Books Limited. The book is a guide to the Royal Navy of Jack Aubrey. The book is concise yet highly detailed and provides everything you would ever want to know about the Royal Navy Commander Jack Aubrey.
 
Thanks for the suggestion, Meigger. I may have to look that one up!

I browsed Amazon for pirate books and came upon this one. It's apparently got some good reviews, but I was wondering if any of our professional pirates (everyone on this forum) have read it and can say if it's really ok:

Captain Mary, Buccaneer
by Jacqueline Church Simonds

For those who don't mind fantasy and pirate fiction meshed together, I can recommend Raymond E. Feist's "King's Buccaneer". I think that was a pretty good read.
 
This seems to be the right thread to post my question: Once a while back I read a book from a series about a naval career during the American Independence War, but I remember neither Author nor the Name of the main character, though I do remember the name of his ship: "Sparrow". If anyone knows the author´s name, I´d be glad if he posted it here.
 
Is it <i>Sloop of War</i> , by Alexander Kent, in the Richard Bolitho Series? Here are some links that may help you determine if this is what you're looking for:

<a href="http://www.personal.usyd.edu.au/~slaw/SuesPage/bolitho.htm" target="_blank">http://www.personal.usyd.edu.au/~slaw/Sues...age/bolitho.htm</a>

<a href="http://www.dropbears.com/b/broughsbooks/military/richard_bolitho.htm" target="_blank">http://www.dropbears.com/b/broughsbooks/mi...ard_bolitho.htm</a>

<a href="http://www.bolithomaritimeproductions.com/" target="_blank">http://www.bolithomaritimeproductions.com/</a>

I seem to remeber having read this book a long, long time ago, <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/mellow.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":|" border="0" alt="mellow.gif" /> but I don't recall whether or not I enjoyed it. I haven't read the whole series, but someone else who has may come along. Hope this is helpful.
<img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheers" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" />
 
Another book of interest is "Pirates and Buccaneers of the Atlantic Coast," by Edward Rowe Snow. The book concentrates on the pirates that infested the shores, bays, and islands of the Atlantic Coast of North America. A very interesting read indeed. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheers" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" />
 
@Sir Christopher Mings: Thank you, that´s it! I discovered it a long time back in the library and just couldn´t forget abou it.

Presently, I read the ebook version of "Captain Blood", before that it was "The Sea Hawk". The latter wasn´t too bad, but the setting in the mediterrean wasn´t exactly my taste, for now, i like Captain Blood better. Sid Meyer must have read it ahead of designing "Pirates!", more than one of the opening tales are similar to the one of Peter Blood.

By the way, `DL-ing` "the Three Musketeers" I discovered that Word has got a problem when the page number goes up to the thousand, for when I tried to make an index it always crashed.
 
I'm currently reading "Women Sailors and Sailors' Women" by David Cordingly, the same fellow (formerly with the British National Maritime Museum, and also on the special edition PotC movie DVD) who wrote the excellent "Under the Black Flag".

So far it's been a pretty good read. This excerpt made me laugh; Cordingly quotes from something called "Harris's List of `Covent-Garden` Ladies" (pub. `1740-1790`), a list of what might be called "officer's ladies" (of the night) - check out the <i>delicately</i> couched (oooh pun!!!) nautical terms here:

"...many a <i>man of war</i> hath been her willing prisoner, and paid a proper ransom; her <i>port</i> is said to be well guarded by a light brown <i>`chevaux-de`-freize,</i> and parted from <i>bumbay</i> by a very small pleasant <i>isthmus.</i> The entry is rather straight; but when once in there is very good <i>riding</i> . . . she is so brave, that she is ever ready for an engagement, cares not how soon she comes to <i>close quarters,</i> and loves to fight <i>yard arm</i> and <i>yard arm,</i> and be briskly <i>boarded</i>..." <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="xD:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />
 
A ripping read for y'all

Hi All,

I have been lurking on this site for ages getting info on POTC and the Build 11 mod - Great stuff and thanks! But to stay on topic, I couldn't leae without letting you know about an obscure book which is an absolutely ripping read called "the Walrus and the Warwolf" by Hugh Cook.

It's book 4 in a ten part trilogy called CHRONICLES OF AN AGE OF DARKNESS, however as the story does not carry through them, they are all good stand alone reads. (in fact the stories are comletely different so the others are not piratey at all)

This is a hilarius, swashbuckling tale about a young brash blacksmith's apprentice who joins a Pirate crew and has a whole lota adventure. The story is not specifically a "Pirate" tale as the story drifts into other things occasionally, but definately a tale about Pirates! Pirate Captains (aka Walrus & Warwolf) at war, monsters, fights (brawls rather than battles) and a bit of love interest as well all with the distinct flavour of tongue in cheek. (see blurb below)

THE WALRUS AND THE WARWOLF
‘You’re right,’ said King Tor. ‘Those were but boyish pranks. So I’ll let you off lightly. We’ll have you birched in public today. You spend tonight buried up to the neck in the public dungheap. Tomorrow morning, we’ll put you on a boat. Three leagues from shore, you’ll be thrown overboard. That is my justice.’ Drake knew he had got a good deal.

What he didn’t know was that this was only the start of a long journey that would take him far from his home and his love – and that he would have to endure far worse before either could be regained....

This book is pretty rare - single edition print only. The first eighteen chapters were published in the USA as Lords of the Sword as a separate book. I had it as a kid and lost it. Found it again recently here: <a href="http://www.`colin-smythe`.com/fantasy.htm" target="_blank">http://www.`colin-smythe`.com/fantasy.htm</a>

This is pure fantasy, but is true to the Pirate spirit (without gunpowder - sorry!) so that's gotta count for something! It is not suitable for anyone under 13 in my opinion as it doesn't pull its punches regarding sex, drugs, grog and gambling (in fact they are a recognised religion!)

If you like the sound of it and you have trouble getting it, let me know (or any other book for that matter) and i'll see if I can help out as I spend a bit of time trawling online second hand bookshops...
 
<img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hi.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":gday" border="0" alt="hi.gif" /> welcome aboard mate!!!

Sounds interesting, thanks! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/onya.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":onya" border="0" alt="onya.gif" />
 
I just got me "A cup of Gold" <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/bookish.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":mm" border="0" alt="bookish.gif" /> this weekend, it´s really worth reading. The only drawback is, it´rather short, only about 200 pages and I´ve already reached pg. 100 <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad.gif" /> , means I´ll have to get me something new soon. And books are goddammit expensive...
 
Another book some of you mates may be interested in is "The Billy Ruffian," by David Cordingly. It is the story of a British `ship-of`-`the-line` called the "Bellerophon", a `seventy-four` gun warship. This book is a biography of the ship. The ship played important roles in three major sea battles i.e., The Glorious First of June (1794), the Battle of the Nile (1798), and the Battle of Trafalgar (1805). This ship will be forever known as the ship Napoleon surrendered on after the Battle of Waterloo. This is a very interesting book. It is over 300 pages long but well worth the read.
 
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