David Cordingly est un historien naval anglais distingué, largement considéré comme une autorité majeure en matière de piraterie. Son œuvre étendue explore la romance et la réalité de la vie en mer, distinguant les faits historiques des mythes et légendes. Les écrits de Cordingly se penchent sur la vie des marins et les rôles des femmes dans l'histoire maritime, s'appuyant sur des recherches méticuleuses et une narration captivante. Ses analyses offrent aux lecteurs une immersion profonde dans le monde fascinant de l'aventure maritime et des événements historiques marquants.
The image of the pirate is one that has never failed to capture the imagination, but behind the melodramatic portrayals of such villains as Long John Silver, with wooden leg and eye-patch, lies a much harsher reality. This book is the first port of call for anyone keen to separate the fact from the fiction.
Examines the popular image of pirates in modern times and compares it with the real world of pirates, who were more often murderers and thieves than romantic heros.
For this rousing, revisionist history, the former head of exhibitions at England's National Maritime Museum has combed original documents & records to produce a most authoritative & definitive account of piracy's Golden Age. As he explodes many accepted myths (i.e. walking the plank is pure fiction), Cordingly replaces them with a truth that is more complex & often bloodier. 16 pages of photos. Maps.