Pirates & Privateers: Richard Platt's Books

Young Jake Carpenter accompanies his uncle Will to Charleston, South Carolina, where they sign aboard Greyhound, a ship that sneaks out of the harbor at night so the captain doesn’t have to pay the merchants whose cargo they carry. This is Jake’s first cruise as a sailor, and he becomes the carpenter’s assistant while he learns about the ship and sailing. When he accidentally loses a bucket, the captain sentences him to a flogging. Knowing Jake will never survive the lash, Uncle Will stands in his place. After enduring more than nineteen lashes, Will is lowered into a boat and set adrift without any provisions.

When Jake spots a sail on the horizon, things go from bad to worse. The ship belongs to pirates, who soon overtake and board Greyhound. Before long, Jake finds himself signing the articles of agreement, participating in raids on Spanish ships, and visiting pirate havens.

Sample Page
(Source: Publisher, used with permission, image copyrighted)

Jake relates his experiences and adventures in a diary that begins the day he sets off for Charleston. Each short entry is filled with intriguing details about life at sea in the 18th century and the ways of pirates. The color illustrations enrich the story and are treasures themselves. Together the diary and pictures make for an exciting and sometimes frightening tale. Although written for children age nine and older, this is an excellent introduction for anyone who wants to learn about life aboard a wooden sailing ship and what it is like to be a pirate minus the romance often found in books. In addition to an index and bibliography, readers will find short essays about the world in which Jake lives and a history of piracy from ancient times to the present day. For pirates with only a few pieces of eight to spare, this booty is a worthy addition to any buccaneer’s collection.

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