While sailing alone one night in the shipping lanes across one of the busiest waterways in the world, John Burnett was attacked by pirates. Through...
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reviews
Mar 22, 2011
Ben
rated it: 
I enjoyed this personal account of piracy in the 1990s and early 2000s. This book tells the story of priates as seen from the deck of freighters and yachts across the globe. Most of the accounts are focused on the Malaca Straits and South China Sea, with relatively little coverage of Caribean and African piracy. The author gives an simple understanding of the the origin of the modern pirates, and the local politic sceenes that are often complicit in piracy. The book feels a bit dated in 2011, ba
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Feb 17, 2011
Cameling
rated it: 
This made for really interesting reading about piracy, the ships who found themselves under attack and the captains who managed to either fight off the pirates, or unfortunately became victims. Some ships could have avoided pirate attacks if they had only complied with certain well advised practices, and some of the attacks resulted in fatalities and stolen ships. With valuable cargo on board, pirates today, especially in SouthEast Asia, have better modern weapons and technology available to t
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Jan 04, 2009
itpdx
rated it:
Absolutely fascinating!
John Burnett starts with his experience of being boarded by local pirates and fortunately surviving with a bump on the head and a loss of some binoculars and cigarettes. He investigates modern piracy--who are the pirates, how they operate and who is trying to protect the world's shipping. He recounts some frightening acts of piracy. And how shipping is very vulnerable to terrorism. The book was published in 2002. I would really like an update. I think things hav More...
John Burnett starts with his experience of being boarded by local pirates and fortunately surviving with a bump on the head and a loss of some binoculars and cigarettes. He investigates modern piracy--who are the pirates, how they operate and who is trying to protect the world's shipping. He recounts some frightening acts of piracy. And how shipping is very vulnerable to terrorism. The book was published in 2002. I would really like an update. I think things hav More...
Aug 09, 2011
Discusses modern day piracy long before the Somolian pirates took over the straight. A fascinating and scary read because he mentions the dangers of what would happen if a super oil tanker was taken over by pirates. Yikes!
Feb 03, 2009
Chris
rated it:
If you're interested in learning the details of modern piracy, this is a good choice. If you're not really interested in the topic, it's a little dry.
Jan 10, 2009
Sabrina
rated it:
This is an interesting book. It is based on real stories about modern day pirates. They are definetely not something out of the fairytales, or disney stories. The times when he discribed attacks were very fascinating and scary. I did find that in between these times it was a little cumbersome to read. I started to skim those parts. On the whole it was a interesting read, for a non fiction. And those who know me I am not a non fiction type reader.
Apr 25, 2009
Scott
rated it:
An interesting, eye-opener about terror and piracy on the seas. Very informative and scary accounts of a war on piracy that is gaining more awareness nowadays. Could become an important read/topic very shortly, if it hasn't already.
Dec 17, 2009
Sonja
rated it:
A very cool - and honest - look into modern piracy and the serious threat it poses in various parts of the world. I wouldn't read this before or on a cruise, though.
Dec 17, 2009
Laurel
rated it:
I liked reading it. Some of the only narrated accounts or interviews about modern piracy I have read. A nice break from law review articles on the subject.
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