David Cordingly is a distinguished English naval historian, widely regarded as a leading authority on pirates. His extensive work delves into the romance and reality of life at sea, separating historical fact from myth and legend. Cordingly's writings explore the lives of sailors and the roles of women in maritime history, grounded in meticulous research and compelling narrative. His analyses offer readers a deep dive into the captivating world of maritime adventure and significant historical events.
The image of the pirate is one that has never failed to capture the imagination, but behind the melodramatic portrayals of such villains as Long John Silver, with wooden leg and eye-patch, lies a much harsher reality. This book is the first port of call for anyone keen to separate the fact from the fiction.
Examines the popular image of pirates in modern times and compares it with the real world of pirates, who were more often murderers and thieves than romantic heros.
For this rousing, revisionist history, the former head of exhibitions at England's National Maritime Museum has combed original documents & records to produce a most authoritative & definitive account of piracy's Golden Age. As he explodes many accepted myths (i.e. walking the plank is pure fiction), Cordingly replaces them with a truth that is more complex & often bloodier. 16 pages of photos. Maps.