Villains of All Nations explores the 'Golden Age' of Atlantic piracy (1716-1726) and the infamous generation whose images underlie our moder...
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Nov 23, 2009
Nicholas
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Rediker’s “Villains of All Nations,” reevaluates the golden age of piracy as a proletarian struggle between a government-supported merchant class and a militant force made up of their formerly exploited labor force. This battle between the terror of state and the terror of the rebellious pirates begins in 1713. It was then that a large group of sailors, who had served as either privateers or directly in the service of imperial governments, became unemployed as a result of a general peace through
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Oct 16, 2011
Lauren
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Rediker has an agenda. He wants to show that when the pirates were cruel, it was in revenge for cruelty. What they were is what they were made into by the exploitative economic system they were born into. Perhaps mostly true. But he sometimes over idealizes his subjects who still often tortured sailors and officers to find valuables on the ships.
“They transformed harsh discipline into a looser, more libertarian way of running their ship that depended on ‘what Punishmen More...
“They transformed harsh discipline into a looser, more libertarian way of running their ship that depended on ‘what Punishmen More...
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Sep 27, 2009
Ryan
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"...damn ye, you are a sneaking puppy, and so are all those who will submit to be governed by Laws which rich Men have made for their own Security, for the cowardly Whelps have not the Copurage otherwise to defend what they get by their knavery; but damn ye altogether: Damn them for a Pack of crafty Rascals, and you, who serve them, for a Parcel of hen-hearted Numskuls. They villify us, the Scroundrels do, when there is only this Difference, they rob the Poor under the Cover of Law, forsoot
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Jun 24, 2009
Jerome
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After reading The Many-headed Hydra co-authored by Peter Linebaugh, I picked this book up. Although Rediker follows the same theme as that previous work, the tone of Villains of All Nations is more academic and less overtly political. That's not to say that Rediker does not continue the materialist theme developed in The Many-Headed Hydra, which is that piracy of the 17th & 18th Century was both encouraged by and a reaction against the political and social policies of the Great Powers.
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Jun 28, 2009
Shaun
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Not so much an account of the exploits of individual pirates or their crews (although full of anecdotes), "Villains" is Rediker's broader analysis of the lifestyle, social structures, and culture of pirates in what he refers to as their "Golden Age". Rediker (who co-authored the highly recommended "Many Headed Hydra" with Peter Linebaugh) delves into the lives of merchant seamen during the early eighteenth century and the reasoning behind their common turn to piracy
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Jul 31, 2007
Mark
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This was another work-related read for me, since I did an article on it because the author is a local professor and we were tying this in to the latest Pirates of the Carribean movie, to show what life was really like for pirates and their pursuers. While it is more in the academic mode, it is well written and very informative. I was struck by what short period was covered by the ascendancy of the Atlantic pirates, whose lives have led to so many fictional tales and common lore. Equally compelli
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Feb 27, 2011
Pat
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This one included info on more modern pirates as well as the golden age. I wouldn't have read it if I were not doing the exhibit at the DMNS
Feb 09, 2011
Janastasia
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What do pirates of "The Golden Age" (~18th century) have to do with modern times? Everything. Covers political/religious terrorism, gender issues, civil rights, healthcare, etc.
Jul 25, 2011
Karen
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Another great read by Rediker! Challenges our historical understanding of democracy.
May 30, 2009
Cheryl
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This is a very interesting perspective on pirates from a Marxist point of view.
Feb 27, 2009
This one was a disappointment as a general read, though it looks like a good reference. A bit dry and scholarly for general reading so I took a pass.
Aug 16, 2009
Erok
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i was pretty into this book. rediker portrays pirates in a way that humanizes, them and puts them into the context of the freshly globalized world in a way that anyone can understand why someone would sail under the black flag. he attempted to shed light on the psychology of piracy, and in so doing, used them as an allegory to understand contemporary resistance, and what drives people to resist.
Nov 20, 2007
Harlan
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More details about pirate life than most people ever think to ask for, and properly blown out of proportion to make the American Revolution seem a secondary story in 1776 to scurvy on the seas. It's entertaining and informative, just don't ever expect to be able to use your newfound pirate knowledge in any situation, ever.
Nov 18, 2008
Cheryl
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An enjoyable look at piracy in the Atlantic during the Golden Age. Nothing particularly new in this work, but it does approach the subject with consideration and an understanding of the reasons that pirates existed. Worth a read, if you are particularly interested in the subject.
Sep 29, 2010
Caty
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I did read this book, despite what that stupid bug says, and I give it three stars. Pirates had their own unique system of governance and other fascinating facts and diverting primary sources, oh my. Three stars, cuz it won't let me note that down either.
Jun 22, 2007
Mark
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this book was rad. i learned all about my favorite pirate captains of old. whats more, i read it before all the movie hype. but still, those movies are dope, so i would still read it.
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