The romantic image of the pirate has been seen as something of a Hollywood cash cow ever since Errol Flynn first climbed the rigging for the film Captain Blood, in 1935. The hugely successful Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, starring the Johnny Depp, proved undoubtedly that swashbuckling sells. But what do we know about the real Captain Jack Sparrows of yesteryear? Who were they? Where did they come from? And what heinous and daring acts did they perform on the path towards riches and infamy? Pirates and Privateers delves into the real lives of these men and women,whose seafaring adventures have become legendary. It explores the criminal careers of some of the most fascinating scoundrels and scallywags in history.

Contents:

PIRATES: Blackbeard, Stede Bonnet, Calico Jack, Anne Bonney and Mary Read, Capt. Kidd, Henry Morgan, L'Olonnais, Henry Avery, Black Bart, Charles Vane, Black Caesar, James Kelly, Richard Cole and John Richardson, John Gow, Kanhoji Angria, Thomas Tew.

WOMEN OF THE SEA: Grace O'Malley, Mrs Ching, Charlotte de Berry, Lady Killigrew, Mary Crickett. PRIVATEERS: Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Francis Drake, Sir Martin Frobisher, Sir Christopher Newport, Sir Thomas Modyford, Fortunatus Wright, Sir John Hawkins, Sir Richard Hawkins, Michael Geare, Sir Christopher Myngs , Alexander Godfrey, Joseph Barss, Robert Morris, Athanase Postel, Ambroise Louis Garneray, Robert Surcouf.