Pirates have long captivated our imagination, featuring in fiction and non-fiction. Whether it’s a ship battle, a treasure hunt, or exploring uncharted waters, there’s always a wealth of action and adventure in pirate stories.
Books about Pirates
Sometimes they’re absolute villains, other times they’re just free-spirited heroes. Whatever the case, people see what they want to see in these characters.
Below is a combination of fictional and historical books about pirates that shine a light on the lives of these enigmatic seafarers.
1. A General History of the Pyrates by Captain Charles Johnson
A prime source for the biographies of many well-known pirates, this book is probably behind our modern interpretation of pirates. Some of the figures it tackles are Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, and Anne Bonny.
Its author remains a mystery with Captain Charles Johnson most likely being a pen name. Some people argue that the actual author is Daniel Defoe, but this is disputed.
2. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Young Jim Hawkin’s life is forever changed when a certain guest checks into their family inn. He finds himself in possession of a map that could very well lead to an infamous pirate’s treasure.
However, half the crew on his ship are revealed to be pirates plotting to steal the treasure and kill all of them. Jim and his group must not only find a way to survive but also come out of it a good deal richer.
3. On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers
French puppeteer John Chandagnac boards a ship to Jamaica in pursuit of an uncle. When pirates attack the ship, he finds himself recruited into the crew after wounding their captain.
As the pirate Jack Shandy, he explores the Caribbean, learns more about vodun, and joins his fellow pirates on a quest for the Fountain of Youth.
4. Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton
In 1665, privateer Charles Hunter is hired by Port Royal’s governor to raid a Spanish Galleon for its cargo of treasure. Though he and his crew are successful, bad luck and trouble immediately follow them. Laden with riches, Hunter must not only contend with Spaniards and the sea but also the threat of betrayal.
5. Black Flags, Blue Waters by Eric Jay Dolin
Spanning the 1600s through the early 1700s, this book tackles America’s “Golden Age of Piracy”. Pirates such as Sam Bellamy, Edward Teach, and Captain Kidd are discussed as well as the societal and economic causes and effects of piracy.
6. Under the Black Flag by David Cordingly
Plenty of pirates have entered the realm of legends, blending fact and fiction. From the weapons they wielded to the ships they sailed, this book delves into the truth behind these legendary figures. Cordingly goes even further by discussing the fictitious characters that these people have inspired.
7. Pirate Hunters by Robert Kurson
The age of piracy has passed and what remains is an obsession with the legends it has left behind. Here, divers John Chatterton and John Mattera hunt for the Golden Fleece, once helmed by Joseph Bannister, a pirate whose exploits largely remained a mystery.
8. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
Peter Pan, the boy who wouldn’t grow up, sweeps away the Darling Children and takes them on an adventure to Neverland. There, they contend with many dangers, including the infamous Captain James Hook.
While Hook may not be the central character of the story, he’s certainly one of its most striking figures—so much so that he’s inspired plenty of other pirate characters after him.
9. Pirates! by Celia Rees
Suddenly orphaned, Nancy Kington finds herself shipped to her family’s plantation in Jamaica. Disgusted by the conditions there, she and one of the slaves, Minerva, run off to join a group of pirates. To both of them, piracy is freedom from the unfairness of a society that treats them more as valuables than humans.
10. Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini
Dr. Peter Blood is an Irish physician and retired soldier living a quiet life. While saving lives, he is unjustly convicted of treason and sentenced to death. He escapes, acquires a ship, and quickly becomes the most feared pirate in the Caribbean.
11. The Republic of Pirates by Colin Woodard
Infamous pirates such as Edward “Blackbeard” Teach, “Black Sam” Bellamy, and “Calico Jack” Rackham once established their kingdom in the Bahamas. There, servants were free, colored people were equal, and the public voted for their leaders.
Here, Woodard documents how this brief but powerful realm was created, how it operated, and how and why it was ultimately razed by the British Empire.
12. Anne Bonny by Phillip Thomas Tucker
Born in an era where women were mostly powerless, Anne Bonny achieved much notoriety and wealth. Little is known about her, but what is known has propelled her into one of the most fearsome pirates in history. This book dives past her legends and into the human being underneath.
Pirate Books
Exploring the high seas, epic battles aboard ships, and the freedom of sailing—there are a lot of things being romanticized about piracy. They make for gripping narratives, be they fiction or non-fiction.
Whether you prefer historical accounts or the tales spun by creative minds, one thing is for certain: so long as the spirit of adventure lies in them, the fascination for pirates will continue to endure.
What other books about pirates would you recommend? Share them in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- X Marks the Spot: 15 Books about Treasure Hunting
- 8 Robert Louis Stevenson Books to Thrill Your Imagination
- 20 Best Adventure Books for the Daring Reader
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
