Under the Black Flag
By David Cordingly
The Romance and the Reality of Life Among the Pirates. Random House, 2006.
Summary of Under the Black Flag book by David Cordingly
The unromanticized truth about the golden age of piracy, from the notorious individuals that traveled the waters, to the vessels they sailed and the weapons they employed when robbing their unsuspecting victims.
Chapters in Under the Black Flag book summary
What do you get from this book? The contrast between fantasy and reality about pirates of the golden age
Where there’s water, there have been pirates, and early records of them inspired the authors of adventure novels and plays
Our mythical view of pirates can be credited to the fictional tales that painted them as seafaring adventurers
Working on the sea was tough; some people left merchant ships for piracy, attracted by its structure and earning potential
Pirates met with varying degrees of success—the most well-known were colorful, bold, and dauntless
While many pirate ships banned women, there is hard evidence that some traveled the seas with their mostly male crew members
Pirate attacks were frightening, and due to their reputation and threats, most people did not fight back against them
The atrocities committed by pirates were often severe, as were their punishments when caught
A variety of vessels were used by pirates, typically distinguished by the number of masts they had
The sordid tales of Captain Kidd and Blackbeard’s demises were seen as important victories against piracy
In the early eighteenth century, pirate numbers dropped at an astonishing rate and brutality surrounding piracy transformed into entertaining legends
Summary of the key insights
Selected critiques in brief
Final word
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Under the Black Flag — Book Summary Snapshot
Who should read Under the Black Flag book
- Pirate buffs
- movie lovers
- myth busters
- anyone who has ever dressed like Jack Sparrow
- those interested in adventure on the high seas
About the author of Under the Black Flag
David Cordingly
David Cordingly was the curator of a maritime museum before he turned author. His love for the sea and history led him to publish The Billy Ruffian, Pirate Hunter of the Caribbean, and the definitive history of golden age pirates, Under the Black Flag. Cordingly also appeared on the DVD bonus features for The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl separating fact from fiction for interested viewers.
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