Osprey Special Editions (Military) : Pirates : Terror on the High Seas

Pirates tells, in beautifully illustrated detail, the full story of piracy from its origins in the 16th century to the last great piratical wave in the early 19th century. It explores the lives of well-known buccaneers who carried out their raids under the protection of the English crown and the privateers that were relied on by the American Navy during the American Revolution to disrupt British shipping between England and the rebellious colonies. Other subjects covered include the ships, weaponry used, codes of behaviour and the lives of the colourful characters that roamed the high seas searching for plunder. Text by Angus Konstam, plates by Angus McBride.

Contents

• Introduction
• The Pirate Crew
• Pirate Warfare
• Pirate Dens
• Pirate Plunder
• Pirate Captains and Characters
• Pirate Ships
• Pirate Codes
• Pirate Flags
• Pirate Justice
• Background and Sources
• The Spanish Main
• Early Buccaneers
• The Buccaneering Art of War
• Buccaneer Strongholds
• Buccaneer Booty
• Buccaneering Fleets
• Flags and National Identity
• Privateering in the Americas
• The Last Pirates
• Privateering Crews
• The Maritime Art of War
• Privateering Ports
• The Anti-Piracy Campaign
• Bibliography
• Commentary on the Colour Artwork