Piracy & Plunder A Murderous Business

Publishers Weekly

"This book aims to tell the true story of pirates and piracy," writes Meltzer (Ten Queens: Portraits of Women of Power) in his foreword, and tell it he does, ripping the lid off the Errol Flynn-inspired, romantic version to expose the actual cruel and bloody history. From as far back as references in Homer's Odyssey to the Viking raiders and such larger-than-life figures as Blackbeard, Sir Henry Morgan and Captain Kidd, Meltzer offers a broad historical overview of crime on the high seas and explores the roots of what drove men (and women) to piracy including unemployment, mutiny and simple greed. In a series of brief, easily digestible sections, the author paints a vivid picture of unsavory pirate life around the globe (from Chinese pirates to those who stalked the seas outside of Rome during the time of Spartacus in 73 B.C.). He reveals their code of conduct, connection to the slave trade and their thinly veiled alias as "licensed pirates" or privateers (with such renowned historical figures as Sir Francis Drake), and takes readers up through the modern-day, subtler form of piracy the violation of international copyright laws. Meltzer aims this strong material at older readers and it is not for the weak of stomach (there are vivid descriptions of some of the more gruesome forms of pirate torture, as well as a mention of gang rape). The book is very valuable in debunking the romantic myths that have grown up around this criminal society. Waldman's darkly evocative artwork, a somber swirl of line and color, effectively echoes the edgy tone of the text. Ages 10-up. (Nov.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Children's Literature

Milton Meltzer has written an interesting history of piracy and pirates. His goal is to de-glamorize the swash-buckling romantic image of pirates by telling the facts¾that pirates were really criminals who roamed the high seas and stole anything they wanted. Meltzer explores all aspects of the pirates' world, including who they were, how they lived, the acts they committed, the consequences of their crimes and life aboard a pirate ship. There is mention of a pirate's Code of Conduct. Some of their rules were¾the musicians shall have rest on the Sabbath Day only by right; on all other days by favour only. And another¾every man shall keep his piece, cutlass and pistols at all times clean and ready for action. Meltzer also takes a look at some of the well-known pirates such as Black Beard and Captain Kidd. He even mentions a Chinese pirate queen known as Ching Shih. Meltzer ends the book by saying piracy still lives in some parts of the world. Sidebars of little known information are sprinkled through out the book. Illustrations are in muted colors of orange, browns and blacks. An information book for anyone interested in learning more about pirates. 2001, Dutton Children's Books, 24.99. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Della A. Yannuzzi

VOYA

Pirates—the very word conjures images of buried treasure, desert islands, and swift ships flying the black flag. Meltzer sets out to debunk this romantic myth. Pirates were thieves and murderers, without honor toward their captives or each other. They tortured and raped, traded in slaves, burned settlements, and betrayed their comrades. Meltzer makes it clear that very little romance was involved. The topic is a surefire attention grabber. Inconsistent attitudes, unclear boundaries, and poor editing, however, mar this book. Meltzer recounts atrocities and then temporizes, "People in that time and in that part of the world—as men before them, and in our own time, and almost everywhere in the world—have been capable of appalling cruelties." Tut-tutting and titillation compete for the reader's attention. The author stretches the subject until it squeaks:The Odyssey as a pirate epic? Copyright violations as a modern equivalent? The text jumps from topic to topic without a clear progression or theme. Rather than using chapters, the book is divided into short, unrelated sections. Frequent sentence fragments reflect the lack of focus. Rough drawings suit the subject, and occasional maps help to clarify geography. The book includes many fascinating facts, but for a balanced and coherent treatment, the reader must look elsewhere. Albert Marrin's The Sea King:Sir Francis Drake and His Times (Atheneum 1995/VOYA October 1995) is narrower but factually and stylistically superior. Index. Illus. Maps. Biblio. VOYA CODES:2Q 3P M J (Better editing or work by the author might have warranted a 3Q;Will appeal with pushing;Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8;Junior High, definedas grades 7 to 9). 2001, Dutton, 96p, $24.99. Ages 11 to 15. Reviewer:Kathleen Beck—VOYA, December 2001 (Vol. 24, No. 5)

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-Meltzer once again lives up to his reputation as a fine author of nonfiction. While there are many other books available on the subject, this one offers a visually stimulating and educational alternative. Readers will obtain a realistic and unromanticized view of pirates, understanding the motives behind their cruel acts of violence and greed. The author goes back to the ancient Greeks and describes accounts of piracy in Homer's The Odyssey, in chronicles of Viking raiders, through to the present day. He includes Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, and other notorious figures. Waldman's evocative artwork reinforces the dark tone of the content. Gray text boxes appear throughout, telling about familiar people like Thomas Jefferson and Julius Caesar who attempted to deal with the problem of piracy. This title has enormous appeal for students writing reports and will attract history buffs and general readers as well.-Carrie Lynn Cooper, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Pirates have a romantic image that Meltzer (Case Closed, p. 1130, etc.) effectively undermines in this history of piracy in which he emphasizes the violence and callousness of pirates throughout the ages. Following the practice chronologically, from Homer to modern piracy of items like videos and music CDs, he recounts stories about famous pirates like Sir Francis Drake and Blackbeard, and devotes several pages to females. A section falling halfway through discusses who became pirates and why, everyday life on shipboard, and punishment of pirates by marooning them. One fascinating topic is the pirates' codes of conduct, with one from the early-18th century reprinted in full. The numbered list explains that each man has an equal vote and a fair share of goods, lays out the punishment for desertion and the exact means for settling disputes, and more. Even with such direct quotations, though, Meltzer gives no citations. A selected bibliography provides the only documentation, a serious drawback in a work of nonfiction. The 96 pages are arranged in short sections of a page or two, each under a heading, rather than in longer chapters that might help readers organize the material in their minds. The very last section returns to the issue of romanticizing pirates with a brief look at books and movies that do so and then coming to a surprisingly abrupt close. (woodcuts, not seen) (Nonfiction. 11-14)