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The Republic of Pirates
by Colin Woodard • 2007
Sailors broken by the navy built their own republic: democratic, armed, and flying the black flag.
3.89
12k+
The Republic of Pirates Summary
The Republic of Pirates 92%
Sailors broken by the navy built their own republic: democratic, armed, and flying the black flag.
by Colin Woodard 2007
3.89
12k+ ratings
The Golden Age of Piracy
by Benerson Little • 2016
No parrots, no plank, no buried treasure. The real pirates were slave-trading democrats.
3.40
366
The Golden Age of Piracy Summary
The Golden Age of Piracy 92%
No parrots, no plank, no buried treasure. The real pirates were slave-trading democrats.
by Benerson Little 2016
3.40
366 ratings
Raiders and Rebels
by Frank Sherry • 1986
How brutalized sailors built a floating republic and waged a thirty-year war against global empire.
4.24
282
Raiders and Rebels Summary
Raiders and Rebels 91%
How brutalized sailors built a floating republic and waged a thirty-year war against global empire.
by Frank Sherry 1986
4.24
282 ratings
Blackbeard
by Angus Konstam • 2006
Blackbeard blockaded a city for medicine, then sank his flagship to cheat his crew.
3.55
445
Blackbeard Summary
Blackbeard 91%
Blackbeard blockaded a city for medicine, then sank his flagship to cheat his crew.
by Angus Konstam 2006
3.55
445 ratings
Black Flags, Blue Waters
by Eric Jay Dolin • 2018
From welcomed economic partners to hanged outlaws: the real story of pirates in colonial America.
3.76
5k+
Black Flags, Blue Waters Summary
Black Flags, Blue Waters 91%
From welcomed economic partners to hanged outlaws: the real story of pirates in colonial America.
by Eric Jay Dolin 2018
3.76
5k+ ratings
Under the Black Flag
by David Cordingly • 1995
Real pirates raped, tortured, and died at the gallows. How fiction gave us the romance.
3.67
10k+
Under the Black Flag Summary
Under the Black Flag 91%
Real pirates raped, tortured, and died at the gallows. How fiction gave us the romance.
by David Cordingly 1995
3.67
10k+ ratings
Enemy of All Mankind
by Steven Johnson • 2020
His 1695 heist of a Mughal treasure ship nearly toppled an empire. Then Henry Every disappeared.
3.89
5k+
Enemy of All Mankind Summary
Enemy of All Mankind 91%
His 1695 heist of a Mughal treasure ship nearly toppled an empire. Then Henry Every disappeared.
by Steven Johnson 2020
3.89
5k+ ratings
Why We Love Pirates
by Rebecca Simon • 2020
How the execution of one privateer turned pirate created the outlaw myth we still sail with.
3.67
340
Why We Love Pirates Summary
Why We Love Pirates 91%
How the execution of one privateer turned pirate created the outlaw myth we still sail with.
by Rebecca Simon 2020
3.67
340 ratings
Blackbeard
by Samuel Marquis • 2018
An educated gentleman builds a radical pirate democracy, daring the British Empire to crush it.
4.12
974
Blackbeard Summary
Blackbeard 90%
An educated gentleman builds a radical pirate democracy, daring the British Empire to crush it.
by Samuel Marquis 2018
4.12
974 ratings
The Pirates of Somalia
by Jay Bahadur • 2011
On a rattling Soviet plane, a journalist lands in Somalia to find the pirates everyone fears.
3.56
1k+
The Pirates of Somalia Summary
The Pirates of Somalia 89%
On a rattling Soviet plane, a journalist lands in Somalia to find the pirates everyone fears.
by Jay Bahadur 2011
3.56
1k+ ratings
Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates
by Brian Kilmeade • 2015
North African pirates enslaved Americans and demanded tribute. Jefferson chose war and built a navy.
3.80
17k+
Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates Summary
Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates 89%
North African pirates enslaved Americans and demanded tribute. Jefferson chose war and built a navy.
by Brian Kilmeade 2015
3.80
17k+ ratings
Empire
by Niall Ferguson • 2003
Piracy, sugar, and debt built the largest empire ever. The collapse outpaced the climb.
3.93
10k+
Empire Summary
Empire 88%
Piracy, sugar, and debt built the largest empire ever. The collapse outpaced the climb.
by Niall Ferguson 2003
3.93
10k+ ratings
King of Libertines
by Pam Godwin • 2020
To unlock her father's compass, a pirate captain bargains with a libertine and risks her heart.
3.83
3k+
King of Libertines Summary
King of Libertines 88%
To unlock her father's compass, a pirate captain bargains with a libertine and risks her heart.
by Pam Godwin 2020
3.83
3k+ ratings
Red Seas Under Red Skies
by Scott Lynch • 2007
Two con artists, poisoned and trapped, must become pirates to survive the archon's deadly scheme.
4.25
162k+
Red Seas Under Red Skies Summary
Red Seas Under Red Skies 88%
Two con artists, poisoned and trapped, must become pirates to survive the archon's deadly scheme.
by Scott Lynch 2007
4.25
162k+ ratings
Of Sea and Shadow
by Will Wight • 2014
A sea captain's hunt for an immortality artifact draws assassins and stirs an ancient sleeping god.
4.13
6k+
Of Sea and Shadow Summary
Of Sea and Shadow 88%
A sea captain's hunt for an immortality artifact draws assassins and stirs an ancient sleeping god.
by Will Wight 2014
4.13
6k+ ratings
Sea of Ruin
by Pam Godwin • 2020
A pirate captain must unlock her dead father's compass while caught between two dangerous lovers.
3.89
19k+
Sea of Ruin Summary
Sea of Ruin 88%
A pirate captain must unlock her dead father's compass while caught between two dangerous lovers.
by Pam Godwin 2020
3.89
19k+ ratings
Arm of the Sphinx
by Josiah Bancroft • 2014
A captain turned pirate scours a tower for his lost wife while addiction summons her ghost.
4.31
18k+
Arm of the Sphinx Summary
Arm of the Sphinx 88%
A captain turned pirate scours a tower for his lost wife while addiction summons her ghost.
by Josiah Bancroft 2014
4.31
18k+ ratings
Dark Shores
by Danielle L. Jensen • 2019
Blackmailed into guiding an invasion, a Maarin sailor can't resist the legatus commanding it.
3.95
14k+
Dark Shores Summary
Dark Shores 88%
Blackmailed into guiding an invasion, a Maarin sailor can't resist the legatus commanding it.
by Danielle L. Jensen 2019
3.95
14k+ ratings
The Runaway King
by Jennifer A. Nielsen • 2013
A reckless young king abandons his throne to infiltrate the pirates who want his crown.
4.24
56k+
The Runaway King Summary
The Runaway King 88%
A reckless young king abandons his throne to infiltrate the pirates who want his crown.
by Jennifer A. Nielsen 2013
4.24
56k+ ratings
Across Dark Seas
by Clare Sager • 2020
Fleeing a forced marriage, a noblewoman joins pirates: the sea awakens her hidden fae magic.
3.85
2k+
Across Dark Seas Summary
Across Dark Seas 88%
Fleeing a forced marriage, a noblewoman joins pirates: the sea awakens her hidden fae magic.
by Clare Sager 2020
3.85
2k+ ratings
The Wide Wide Sea
by Hampton Sides • 2024
Hawaiians believed Captain Cook was a god. Weeks later, his body was dismembered in the surf.
4.46
24k+
The Wide Wide Sea Summary
The Wide Wide Sea 88%
Hawaiians believed Captain Cook was a god. Weeks later, his body was dismembered in the surf.
by Hampton Sides 2024
4.46
24k+ ratings
White Gold
by Giles Milton • 2004
Barbary corsairs took a million Europeans. One boy was eleven when taken, thirty-four when free.
4.13
2k+
White Gold Summary
White Gold 88%
Barbary corsairs took a million Europeans. One boy was eleven when taken, thirty-four when free.
by Giles Milton 2004
4.13
2k+ ratings
Buried Deep and Other Stories
by Naomi Novik • 2024
Exiled to the colonies, a defiant heiress dons a magical disguise and joins her pirate captors.
4.02
7k+
Buried Deep and Other Stories Summary
Buried Deep and Other Stories 88%
Exiled to the colonies, a defiant heiress dons a magical disguise and joins her pirate captors.
by Naomi Novik 2024
4.02
7k+ ratings
Storms of Paine
by Opal Reyne • 2022
Enemy pirate captains. A stolen cargo. A storm that maroons hate right next to desire.
4.22
1k+
Storms of Paine Summary
Storms of Paine 87%
Enemy pirate captains. A stolen cargo. A storm that maroons hate right next to desire.
by Opal Reyne 2022
4.22
1k+ ratings
On History
by Eric J. Hobsbawm • 1997
Scotland's ships were built by war and state meddling: bounties, blockades, tobacco, and smuggling.
3.98
588
On History Summary
On History 87%
Scotland's ships were built by war and state meddling: bounties, blockades, tobacco, and smuggling.
by Eric J. Hobsbawm 1997
3.98
588 ratings
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
by Shannon Chakraborty • 2023
Retired pirate captain takes a rescue job pitting her against a sorcerer and her demon ex-husband.
4.24
82k+
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi Summary
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi 87%
Retired pirate captain takes a rescue job pitting her against a sorcerer and her demon ex-husband.
by Shannon Chakraborty 2023
4.24
82k+ ratings
Ship of Magic
by Robin Hobb • 1998
Death awakens the family ship; the rightful captain must steal her from a pirate king.
4.24
107k+
Ship of Magic Summary
Ship of Magic 87%
Death awakens the family ship; the rightful captain must steal her from a pirate king.
by Robin Hobb 1998
4.24
107k+ ratings
The Desert and the Sea
by Michael Scott Moore • 2018
For 977 days, he was a bargaining chip: a journalist’s survival inside the Somali pirate economy.
3.98
3k+
The Desert and the Sea Summary
The Desert and the Sea 87%
For 977 days, he was a bargaining chip: a journalist’s survival inside the Somali pirate economy.
by Michael Scott Moore 2018
3.98
3k+ ratings
Sea of Roses
by Opal Reyne • 2021
He rescued a trembling captive from a sinking ship. She was the pirate who sank his.
3.80
2k+
Sea of Roses Summary
Sea of Roses 87%
He rescued a trembling captive from a sinking ship. She was the pirate who sank his.
by Opal Reyne 2021
3.80
2k+ ratings
The Zorg
by Siddharth Kara • 2025
132 Africans thrown overboard for insurance money, and the anonymous letter that ignited abolition.
4.16
6k+
The Zorg Summary
The Zorg 87%
132 Africans thrown overboard for insurance money, and the anonymous letter that ignited abolition.
by Siddharth Kara 2025
4.16
6k+ ratings
Beneath Black Sails
by Clare Sager • 2020
A fae pirate and the captain hunting her spark a dangerous attraction on the high seas.
3.93
5k+
Beneath Black Sails Summary
Beneath Black Sails 87%
A fae pirate and the captain hunting her spark a dangerous attraction on the high seas.
by Clare Sager 2020
3.93
5k+ ratings
Namesake
by Adrienne Young • 2021
Captured by a rival, a dredger leads a dive into lethal reefs to win her freedom.
4.01
70k+
Namesake Summary
Namesake 87%
Captured by a rival, a dredger leads a dive into lethal reefs to win her freedom.
by Adrienne Young 2021
4.01
70k+ ratings
The Scar
by China Miéville • 2002
Pirates capture a linguist and take her to a floating city chasing a tear in reality.
4.19
35k+
The Scar Summary
The Scar 87%
Pirates capture a linguist and take her to a floating city chasing a tear in reality.
by China Miéville 2002
4.19
35k+ ratings
Treasure Island
by Robert Louis Stevenson • 1882
A treasure map sends an innkeeper's son to sea with a crew plotting mutiny.
3.85
545k+
Treasure Island Summary
Treasure Island 87%
A treasure map sends an innkeeper's son to sea with a crew plotting mutiny.
by Robert Louis Stevenson 1882
3.85
545k+ ratings
Capitana
by Cassandra James • 2025
To redeem her traitor parents, a pirate hunter must capture the rebel who carries their secret.
3.33
1k+
Capitana Summary
Capitana 87%
To redeem her traitor parents, a pirate hunter must capture the rebel who carries their secret.
by Cassandra James 2025
3.33
1k+ ratings
The Siren, the Song, and the Spy
by Maggie Tokuda-Hall • 2023
An innkeeper's daughter turned spy learns the rebel leader she hunts is her own mother.
4.08
737
The Siren, the Song, and the Spy Summary
The Siren, the Song, and the Spy 87%
An innkeeper's daughter turned spy learns the rebel leader she hunts is her own mother.
by Maggie Tokuda-Hall 2023
4.08
737 ratings
Uncommon Wealth
by Kojo Koram • 2022
Offshore finance and debt traps: empire's playbook, tested abroad, now returned to reshape Britain.
4.29
508
Uncommon Wealth Summary
Uncommon Wealth 87%
Offshore finance and debt traps: empire's playbook, tested abroad, now returned to reshape Britain.
by Kojo Koram 2022
4.29
508 ratings
The Silver Tide
by Jen Williams • 2016
An old map. A cursed island. Three outcasts who must stop the gods from being reborn.
4.27
989
The Silver Tide Summary
The Silver Tide 87%
An old map. A cursed island. Three outcasts who must stop the gods from being reborn.
by Jen Williams 2016
4.27
989 ratings
The Anarchy
by William Dalrymple • 2019
A company raised an army, conquered India, and its hunger for profit starved a nation.
4.20
19k+
The Anarchy Summary
The Anarchy 87%
A company raised an army, conquered India, and its hunger for profit starved a nation.
by William Dalrymple 2019
4.20
19k+ ratings
In the Hurricane's Eye
by Nathaniel Philbrick • 2018
Yorktown was won not by siege but by hurricane season and a French admiral's wild gamble.
4.13
6k+
In the Hurricane's Eye Summary
In the Hurricane's Eye 87%
Yorktown was won not by siege but by hurricane season and a French admiral's wild gamble.
by Nathaniel Philbrick 2018
4.13
6k+ ratings
Colonialism
by Nigel Biggar • 2023
The British Empire spent a century and 1.8% of its income on abolition. Critics skip that.
3.97
786
Colonialism Summary
Colonialism 87%
The British Empire spent a century and 1.8% of its income on abolition. Critics skip that.
by Nigel Biggar 2023
3.97
786 ratings
The Wager
by David Grann • 2023
A warship wrecks. Two survivor stories collide. The empire buries the truth to protect its myth.
4.17
219k+
The Wager Summary
The Wager 87%
A warship wrecks. Two survivor stories collide. The empire buries the truth to protect its myth.
by David Grann 2023
4.17
219k+ ratings
Saint
by Adrienne Young • 2022
A gem sage fleeing her mother collides with a Narrows helmsman whose rival owns her contract.
4.16
14k+
Saint Summary
Saint 87%
A gem sage fleeing her mother collides with a Narrows helmsman whose rival owns her contract.
by Adrienne Young 2022
4.16
14k+ ratings
Smuggler Nation
by Peter Andreas • 2013
Molasses, slaves, blueprints, cocaine: America's defining chapters all ran on smuggling.
3.96
214
Smuggler Nation Summary
Smuggler Nation 87%
Molasses, slaves, blueprints, cocaine: America's defining chapters all ran on smuggling.
by Peter Andreas 2013
3.96
214 ratings
Tupaia
by Joan Druett • 2010
The navigator who made Cook's Pacific voyage possible spent two centuries erased from the story.
4.25
201
Tupaia Summary
Tupaia 87%
The navigator who made Cook's Pacific voyage possible spent two centuries erased from the story.
by Joan Druett 2010
4.25
201 ratings
Tides & Drift
by Adrienne Young • 2024
The heir to a harbor crime family falls for the trader who should be his enemy.
3.86
764
Tides & Drift Summary
Tides & Drift 87%
The heir to a harbor crime family falls for the trader who should be his enemy.
by Adrienne Young 2024
3.86
764 ratings
1494
by Stephen R. Bown • 2011
A secret royal wedding, a corrupt pope, and one line that carved the world in two.
3.89
369
1494 Summary
1494 87%
A secret royal wedding, a corrupt pope, and one line that carved the world in two.
by Stephen R. Bown 2011
3.89
369 ratings
Throne of Jade
by Naomi Novik • 2006
Defying orders to keep his dragon, a captain risks war when China demands the Celestial's return.
3.90
56k+
Throne of Jade Summary
Throne of Jade 87%
Defying orders to keep his dragon, a captain risks war when China demands the Celestial's return.
by Naomi Novik 2006
3.90
56k+ ratings
Over the Edge of the World
by Laurence Bergreen • 2003
Three of five ships mutinied. His response made men fear him more than the sea.
4.19
19k+
Over the Edge of the World Summary
Over the Edge of the World 87%
Three of five ships mutinied. His response made men fear him more than the sea.
by Laurence Bergreen 2003
4.19
19k+ ratings
The Sea and Civilization
by Lincoln Paine • 2013
Before trains, the sea was the fastest highway. World history from the deck of a ship.
3.89
700
The Sea and Civilization Summary
The Sea and Civilization 87%
Before trains, the sea was the fastest highway. World history from the deck of a ship.
by Lincoln Paine 2013
3.89
700 ratings
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