Cindy Vallar's Blog, page 3

Maritime Kensington review

Maritime Kensington: Shipwright Dynasties of Philadelphia by Gretchen Bell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


One day, Gretchen Bell joined a tour of Laurel Hill Cemetery, where she was introduced to the gravesites of Philadelphia shipbuilders William Cramp, John K. Hammitt, Samuel Merrick, John Birely, John Vaughan, and William Sutton. Her curiosity piqued, she wanted to learn more but discovered that regional histories were fairly silent about these men. Shipyards that were once famous throughout the world had become mere blips in history books and Kensington residents were unaware of the men who lent their names to their streets. She decided to change this.

Anthony Palmer of Barbados, a 17th-century land speculator, established an estate named Kensington in present-day Pennsylvania. The land along the shores of the Delaware River had once belonged to the Lenni-Lenape tribe. Eventually, he laid out streets and sold plots of land. By 1676, James West built the first substantial shipyard six years before William Penn arrived in his colony. Others followed and, as time passed, these families merged through marriage and business.

During the 18th century, Kensington’s shipwrights built privateers and vessels that brought more immigrants to the region. It didn’t take long before Philadelphia eclipsed Boston as the most important shipbuilding center in the colonies. Over the decades businesses and fortunes waned and swelled, oftentimes impacted what was happening on a wider stage. Some shipbuilders learned to change with the times; others didn’t. This growth, decline, and adaptation are all discussed within these sixteen chapters. For example, John Vaughan built Baltimore, the first vessel powered by steam in 1815, which began Kensington’s shift from sailing ships to steamships. Immigration during the middle of the 19th century also impacted the region and its shipbuilding, as did the Panic of 1857. In the second half of the century, Charles Cramp oversaw the building of ships for the Imperial Russian Navy. When he died in 1913, his death was reported as front-page news and not just in Philadelphia. While the Cramps succeeded in adapting to these changes, the Cope family, which focused on building packet ships, did not.

The book includes maps, illustrations, notes on sources, chapter notes, a bibliography, and an index. Intertwined throughout these pages is relevant history on a greater scale to better understand the local historical development of the area.

Although records on Philadelphia’s shipbuilding history are scarce, Bell has compiled an important contribution on which other researchers can build “to restore the memory of these laboring clans who lived and worked along the Delaware River.” (13) She explores the development and evolution of Kensington’s shipwrights from the earliest days of William Penn’s colony until 2011, when the Cramp Machine & Turret Shop was torn down, removing “the last piece of Philadelphia’s great nineteenth-century shipbuilding industry.” (12)


(This review originally appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/adult-hist...)



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From Sea Routes to Silk Roads -- a review

From Sea Routes to Silk Roads: Fujian and the Ryukyu Kingdom by chen xie

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


In 1372, King Satto of the small island kingdom of Ryukyu (Okinawa) wished to formalize his country’s relationship with China. Fujian sailors had begun trading with the island for many years, but now the king desired to establish diplomatic ties and become a tributary state. This formal relation continued until 1879, when Japan annexed the island.

From Sea Routes to Silk Roads – part of the Illustrated Fujian and the Maritime Silk Road series – focuses on the connections between Fujian, China and Ryukyu. The port of Quanzhou provided the link, although Fuzhou later became the point of embarkation and debarkation for diplomatic missions. Details about these exchanges provide intriguing information about the envoys who visited Ryukyu. For example, those sent between 1403 and 1425 “had committed crimes and were punished to guard the borders.” (22) Scrolls depict in art what the narrative highlights.

Another outgrowth from these relations is that Fujianese shipwrights lend their expertise to Ryukyu, which allows the islanders to build “a thriving maritime trade known as Wan Guo Jin Liang (a bridge to all countries).” (16) The authors include fascinating facts and illustrations of Fujian shipyards and imperial mission ships known as fengzhou, as well as some traditions that seafarers practice when navigating from one place to another and the sea gods they believe in, such as Lady Linshui and the Sea Dragon King. The Fujian Bureau for Foreign Shipping manages the trade, and some architecture pertaining to this exists today. Whether for tribute or trade, merchants deal in sulfur, whetstones, kelp, copper, pepper, and products from logwood trees. Craftsmen share their knowledge and products, such as lacquerware and textiles.

The book contains a wealth of black-&-white and color illustrations that include maps, photographs, paintings, sample documents, and artifacts that show the connections between Fujian and Ryukyu. Among these are the Wan Guo Jin Liang Bell (1458) and pages from Shun Feng Xiang Song, an early chart depicting the sea route that Fujian sailors create during the days of the Song and Yuan emperors. Within the Forbidden City are items of tribute from Ryukyu, which originally come from other countries, such as Japanese armor and swords.

Of course, trade often leads to immigrants, and one section of this book is devoted to the thirty-six families from Min (China) who move to Ryukyu. There, they establish communities that become their home away from home and integrate the two cultures. People from Ryukyu also travel to China, and evidence of their time in the empire can be found in Fujian’s cemeteries. In addition, cross-cultural evidence is presented in each other’s cuisine.

From Sea Routes to Silk Roads is an engaging introduction to one facet of the Maritime Silk Road. Specific details are presented here that are absent from other books in the series, and sometimes in greater depth. Although impossible to display one long scroll that is currently held in Japan, the authors feel it important enough to subdivide the scroll so readers can view and study the segments across nine pages of what a Chinese diplomatic corps of the period looked like upon arrival in Ryukyu. This volume is one of the most thorough and insightful presentations in the series that happily avoids weaknesses found in its other titles.


(This review originally appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/Xie-Lin.html)



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Echoes Across the Sea

Echoes across the Sea: Fujian, Persia, and the Arab World by Yuling Ding

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Trade between East and West was facilitated by Chinese, Persian, and Arab merchants, comprising key components of the Maritime Silk Road. This volume of the Illustrated Fujian and the Maritime Silk Road series examines the interactions and connections by sea between this region of the world and Fujian, China, which first started during the Tang Dynasty of Imperial China (AD 618-907). (Earlier exchanges took place via land as far back as the Han Dynasty.)

Described as being of “eight mountains, one river, and one field,” Fujian played a key role in maritime trade because most people were forced to venture asea to make their livings and to survive. (2) The first chapter explores this maritime tradition and includes photographs of early artifacts, such as boat coffins and the remains of a Han canoe. Fuzhou became renowned for shipbuilding, while Quanzhou served as a key port that welcomed foreign travelers to China. During the Song Dynasty (960-1279), ships sailed to and from this city and fifty-eight other countries. One section of the chapter is devoted to the various types of vessels that the Fujianese utilized, such as the niaochuan, a boat with a bow resembling a bird’s beak and eyes painted on either side. The photographs and other artwork clearly demonstrate the differences between these crafts. The work and quality of Fujianese shipwrights made them ideal for the building of naval ships and for those that sailed to faraway shores, such as Admiral Zheng He’s fleet, a model of which is included in this chapter.

The second chapter focuses on the mosques erected in Fujian by Muslim immigrants. They serve as evidence of the close cultural ties between China and the Middle East. One of the earliest is Qingjing Mosque, built in 1009 and the only one that still exists to showcase Central Asian medieval architecture. Many photographs take readers to the most historically important mosques. While places of worship are the focus of the second chapter, the third examines Islamic tombstones. Their inscriptions provide insights into the lives of those who journeyed to and lived in Fujian. Two disciples of Muhammad from the 7th century are buried in Quanzhou.

Chapter four looks at Muslim families who settled in Quanzhou, including the Pu (known for perfume), the Ding (including Ding Gongchen, an expert in military firearms who authored a number of studies on the subject), and the Guo (sea traders and fishermen). These families’ architecture best shows the intertwining of Islamic and Chinese cultures.

The fifth chapter delves into trade commodities and tributes. Persian and Arab merchants bring with them incense, such as frankincense (used ritualistically and to aid medicinally). Pepper, or black gold, is a spice used to flavor food or help cure ailments. The Chinese export cinnamon, musk, and rhubarb. Among the plants introduced to China are jasmine, henna, narcissus, and aloe. Tribute items include ivory, tortoiseshell, and pearls. Another important aspect of culture exchange pertains to etiquette and customs of daily life, such as murals, festivals, Arabic calligraphy, and the hijab that women wear. Also covered is the production and trading of Fujianese porcelain, whose importance is evidenced in the 2007 discovery of the Nanhai One shipwreck.

A key feature of this book is the inclusion of dates, rather than simply identifying dynasties or centuries. The artwork of ships is amazing, although some lack translations of the Chinese that appears with the illustrations, such as on that of the Xiamen Ship. (I believe these identify ship parts, but that is only an educated guess.) Also of importance is that this volume includes more narrative than in other books in the series and the English translation is seamless. The authors felt it important enough to include details about when boats sail and how long trips take – tidbits that are rarely included in many works, but which are of interest to some readers. This title also includes one of the most extensive lists of references. Echoes Across the Sea is a fascinating window into China’s maritime world and how cultural exchanges with other countries affected its own evolution and history.


(This review originally appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/Ding-Lin.html)



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Ching Shih: review of graphic biography

Ching Shih, Famous Pirate Commander by Stephanie Peters

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


To survive, young Ching Shih serves men who visit her place of work. She overhears men talking, and she offers the information to a pirate for a price. They marry and she becomes his partner. Their success garners them many riches and much power. When her husband dies, she finds a way to continue to lead the Red Fleet and to instill fear in the heart of the Chinese emperor in Ching Shih.

Rather than farm the land, John Roberts joins the British Navy and seeks adventure. Later, he joins the crew of a merchant ship, which encounters pirates. He is forced to join their ranks, but soon discovers that the perks of plundering other ships will make his life richer. When his captain is ambushed and slain, the crew elects Roberts to be their commander. He chooses a new name and wreaks havoc everywhere he sails in Black Bart.

Daughter of a chieftain and pirate, Grace O’Malley chops off her hair and hides aboard her father’s ship until they are so far out at sea that he can’t tell her to go home. The day eventually comes when her mother puts her foot down and Grace must follow the traditional role of a woman in 16th-century Ireland. Later, she returns to the sea to become a pirate leader and dares to meet face-to-face with the English queen to save her son in Grace O’Malley.

When England is at war with France, a youth named Edward Teach joins a crew of privateers, but when peace comes, he signs aboard a pirate ship captained by the infamous Benjamin Hornigold, who teaches Edward how to be a pirate. Before long, he becomes famous in his own right and earns a moniker that instills fear in anyone who crosses his path: Blackbeard.

Notorious Pirates is a series of four graphic novels geared toward pirate apprentices. Each pirate’s life unfolds from earliest days to the end of his or her piratical career. Fact is entwined with legend, sometimes to fill in gaps, sometimes to further entice readers. Each book is divided into five chapters and includes additional facts about the pirate, a glossary, and several internet sites where additional information can be found. The text combines dialogue and narrative to provide a cohesive tale from start to finish. The artwork grabs the reader’s attention and the artists incorporate a variety of techniques to instill emotion into the scenes. Those found in Blackbeard are particularly good at portraying victims’ terror and Blackbeard’s fearsomeness. I particularly like how the artists of this book depict the final battle between Blackbeard and Lieutenant Maynard; it’s visually stunning without being bloody and gory. Equally compelling is how the artists depict a duel between a pirate and a sailor in Black Bart.

There are some issues with the books that may or may not bother readers. Unfortunately, the inclusion of websites is problematic. It’s great to provide additional information, but not all of the URLs are current. For example, the last one listed in Grace O’Malley – Twinkl: Who Was Grace O’Malley? – is no longer viable. I did a search to see whether the URL had changed, but the information that answers the question is no longer there. Instead “Grace O’Malley” turned up a variety of visuals and activities for use in the classroom.

While most of the artwork vividly depicts scenes and action, the graphics do have some shortcomings. The clothing in Grace O’Malley is that of a later period than the one in which she lives. Vessels of the 1500s do not have staircases – nor do those of Blackbeard’s days – and the types of cannons used on the ships differ from those of later centuries. The vessels Ching Shih and her pirates sail are junks, yet those pictured show them as being predominately Western-style ships. This detracts from the setting and misleads the reader.

There are also a few historical inaccuracies. One graphic perpetuates the myth of walking the plank. The golden age of piracy does not begin in 1701; it occurs after the War of the Spanish Succession ends in the next decade. This is supposedly why Blackbeard turns to piracy. While the depiction of how he meets Stede Bonnet is humorous, in actuality, Bonnet is gravely injured and on the mend at the time Blackbeard commandeers Bonnet’s ship.

Since this series is geared toward younger pirates in training (Reading Level: grades 2-3, Interest Level: 4-6), these books will be popular with this age group and the reinforced library bindings of the hardback editions guarantee they will stand up to frequent usage. They serve as good introductions to the pirates, and the inclusion of two females and two males ensures that the books will interest girls and boys equally. The stories do gloss over some of the seamier aspects of these pirates’ lives, so parents and teachers need not worry about this. I recommend that further investigations into these pirates be paired with these books so readers receive a fuller and more accurate picture of who Grace O’Malley, Blackbeard, Black Bart, and Ching Shih really were.


(This review originally appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/YA-biograp...)



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Grace O'Malley: review of a graphic biography

Grace O'malley, Pirate Queen of Ireland by Stephanie Peters

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Daughter of a chieftain and pirate, Grace O’Malley chops off her hair and hides aboard her father’s ship until they are so far out at sea that he can’t tell her to go home. The day eventually comes when her mother puts her foot down and Grace must follow the traditional role of a woman in 16th-century Ireland. Later, she returns to the sea to become a pirate leader and dares to meet face-to-face with the English queen to save her son in Grace O’Malley.

Rather than farm the land, John Roberts joins the British Navy and seeks adventure. Later, he joins the crew of a merchant ship, which encounters pirates. He is forced to join their ranks, but soon discovers that the perks of plundering other ships will make his life richer. When his captain is ambushed and slain, the crew elects Roberts to be their commander. He chooses a new name and wreaks havoc everywhere he sails in Black Bart.

When England is at war with France, a youth named Edward Teach joins a crew of privateers, but when peace comes, he signs aboard a pirate ship captained by the infamous Benjamin Hornigold, who teaches Edward how to be a pirate. Before long, he becomes famous in his own right and earns a moniker that instills fear in anyone who crosses his path: Blackbeard.

To survive, young Ching Shih serves men who visit her place of work. She overhears men talking, and she offers the information to a pirate for a price. They marry and she becomes his partner. Their success garners them many riches and much power. When her husband dies, she finds a way to continue to lead the Red Fleet and to instill fear in the heart of the Chinese emperor in Ching Shih.

Notorious Pirates is a series of four graphic novels geared toward pirate apprentices. Each pirate’s life unfolds from earliest days to the end of his or her piratical career. Fact is entwined with legend, sometimes to fill in gaps, sometimes to further entice readers. Each book is divided into five chapters and includes additional facts about the pirate, a glossary, and several internet sites where additional information can be found. The text combines dialogue and narrative to provide a cohesive tale from start to finish. The artwork grabs the reader’s attention and the artists incorporate a variety of techniques to instill emotion into the scenes. Those found in Blackbeard are particularly good at portraying victims’ terror and Blackbeard’s fearsomeness. I particularly like how the artists of this book depict the final battle between Blackbeard and Lieutenant Maynard; it’s visually stunning without being bloody and gory. Equally compelling is how the artists depict a duel between a pirate and a sailor in Black Bart.

There are some issues with the books that may or may not bother readers. Unfortunately, the inclusion of websites is problematic. It’s great to provide additional information, but not all of the URLs are current. For example, the last one listed in Grace O’Malley – Twinkl: Who Was Grace O’Malley? – is no longer viable. I did a search to see whether the URL had changed, but the information that answers the question is no longer there. Instead “Grace O’Malley” turned up a variety of visuals and activities for use in the classroom.

While most of the artwork vividly depicts scenes and action, the graphics do have some shortcomings. The clothing in Grace O’Malley is that of a later period than the one in which she lives. Vessels of the 1500s do not have staircases – nor do those of Blackbeard’s days – and the types of cannons used on the ships differ from those of later centuries. The vessels Ching Shih and her pirates sail are junks, yet those pictured show them as being predominately Western-style ships. This detracts from the setting and misleads the reader.

There are also a few historical inaccuracies. One graphic perpetuates the myth of walking the plank. The golden age of piracy does not begin in 1701; it occurs after the War of the Spanish Succession ends in the next decade. This is supposedly why Blackbeard turns to piracy. While the depiction of how he meets Stede Bonnet is humorous, in actuality, Bonnet is gravely injured and on the mend at the time Blackbeard commandeers Bonnet’s ship.

Since this series is geared toward younger pirates in training (Reading Level: grades 2-3, Interest Level: 4-6), these books will be popular with this age group and the reinforced library bindings of the hardback editions guarantee they will stand up to frequent usage. They serve as good introductions to the pirates, and the inclusion of two females and two males ensures that the books will interest girls and boys equally. The stories do gloss over some of the seamier aspects of these pirates’ lives, so parents and teachers need not worry about this. I recommend that further investigations into these pirates be paired with these books so readers receive a fuller and more accurate picture of who Grace O’Malley, Blackbeard, Black Bart, and Ching Shih really were.


(This review originally appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/YA-biograp...)



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Blackbeard: review of graphic biography

Blackbeard, Feared Pirate Captain by Jessica Gunderson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


When England is at war with France, a youth named Edward Teach joins a crew of privateers, but when peace comes, he signs aboard a pirate ship captained by the infamous Benjamin Hornigold, who teaches Edward how to be a pirate. Before long, he becomes famous in his own right and earns a moniker that instills fear in anyone who crosses his path: Blackbeard.

Rather than farm the land, John Roberts joins the British Navy and seeks adventure. Later, he joins the crew of a merchant ship, which encounters pirates. He is forced to join their ranks, but soon discovers that the perks of plundering other ships will make his life richer. When his captain is ambushed and slain, the crew elects Roberts to be their commander. He chooses a new name and wreaks havoc everywhere he sails in Black Bart.

Daughter of a chieftain and pirate, Grace O’Malley chops off her hair and hides aboard her father’s ship until they are so far out at sea that he can’t tell her to go home. The day eventually comes when her mother puts her foot down and Grace must follow the traditional role of a woman in 16th-century Ireland. Later, she returns to the sea to become a pirate leader and dares to meet face-to-face with the English queen to save her son in Grace O’Malley.

To survive, young Ching Shih serves men who visit her place of work. She overhears men talking, and she offers the information to a pirate for a price. They marry and she becomes his partner. Their success garners them many riches and much power. When her husband dies, she finds a way to continue to lead the Red Fleet and to instill fear in the heart of the Chinese emperor in Ching Shih.

Notorious Pirates is a series of four graphic novels geared toward pirate apprentices. Each pirate’s life unfolds from earliest days to the end of his or her piratical career. Fact is entwined with legend, sometimes to fill in gaps, sometimes to further entice readers. Each book is divided into five chapters and includes additional facts about the pirate, a glossary, and several internet sites where additional information can be found. The text combines dialogue and narrative to provide a cohesive tale from start to finish. The artwork grabs the reader’s attention and the artists incorporate a variety of techniques to instill emotion into the scenes. Those found in Blackbeard are particularly good at portraying victims’ terror and Blackbeard’s fearsomeness. I particularly like how the artists of this book depict the final battle between Blackbeard and Lieutenant Maynard; it’s visually stunning without being bloody and gory. Equally compelling is how the artists depict a duel between a pirate and a sailor in Black Bart.

There are some issues with the books that may or may not bother readers. Unfortunately, the inclusion of websites is problematic. It’s great to provide additional information, but not all of the URLs are current. For example, the last one listed in Grace O’Malley – Twinkl: Who Was Grace O’Malley? – is no longer viable. I did a search to see whether the URL had changed, but the information that answers the question is no longer there. Instead “Grace O’Malley” turned up a variety of visuals and activities for use in the classroom.

While most of the artwork vividly depicts scenes and action, the graphics do have some shortcomings. The clothing in Grace O’Malley is that of a later period than the one in which she lives. Vessels of the 1500s do not have staircases – nor do those of Blackbeard’s days – and the types of cannons used on the ships differ from those of later centuries. The vessels Ching Shih and her pirates sail are junks, yet those pictured show them as being predominately Western-style ships. This detracts from the setting and misleads the reader.

There are also a few historical inaccuracies. One graphic perpetuates the myth of walking the plank. The golden age of piracy does not begin in 1701; it occurs after the War of the Spanish Succession ends in the next decade. This is supposedly why Blackbeard turns to piracy. While the depiction of how he meets Stede Bonnet is humorous, in actuality, Bonnet is gravely injured and on the mend at the time Blackbeard commandeers Bonnet’s ship.

Since this series is geared toward younger pirates in training (Reading Level: grades 2-3, Interest Level: 4-6), these books will be popular with this age group and the reinforced library bindings of the hardback editions guarantee they will stand up to frequent usage. They serve as good introductions to the pirates, and the inclusion of two females and two males ensures that the books will interest girls and boys equally. The stories do gloss over some of the seamier aspects of these pirates’ lives, so parents and teachers need not worry about this. I recommend that further investigations into these pirates be paired with these books so readers receive a fuller and more accurate picture of who Grace O’Malley, Blackbeard, Black Bart, and Ching Shih really were.


(This review originally appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/YA-biograp...)



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Black Bart: review of graphic biography

Black Bart, Daring Pirate of the Atlantic by Jessica Gunderson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Rather than farm the land, John Roberts joins the British Navy and seeks adventure. Later, he joins the crew of a merchant ship, which encounters pirates. He is forced to join their ranks, but soon discovers that the perks of plundering other ships will make his life richer. When his captain is ambushed and slain, the crew elects Roberts to be their commander. He chooses a new name and wreaks havoc everywhere he sails in Black Bart.

Daughter of a chieftain and pirate, Grace O’Malley chops off her hair and hides aboard her father’s ship until they are so far out at sea that he can’t tell her to go home. The day eventually comes when her mother puts her foot down and Grace must follow the traditional role of a woman in 16th-century Ireland. Later, she returns to the sea to become a pirate leader and dares to meet face-to-face with the English queen to save her son in Grace O’Malley.

When England is at war with France, a youth named Edward Teach joins a crew of privateers, but when peace comes, he signs aboard a pirate ship captained by the infamous Benjamin Hornigold, who teaches Edward how to be a pirate. Before long, he becomes famous in his own right and earns a moniker that instills fear in anyone who crosses his path: Blackbeard.

To survive, young Ching Shih serves men who visit her place of work. She overhears men talking, and she offers the information to a pirate for a price. They marry and she becomes his partner. Their success garners them many riches and much power. When her husband dies, she finds a way to continue to lead the Red Fleet and to instill fear in the heart of the Chinese emperor in Ching Shih.

Notorious Pirates is a series of four graphic novels geared toward pirate apprentices. Each pirate’s life unfolds from earliest days to the end of his or her piratical career. Fact is entwined with legend, sometimes to fill in gaps, sometimes to further entice readers. Each book is divided into five chapters and includes additional facts about the pirate, a glossary, and several internet sites where additional information can be found. The text combines dialogue and narrative to provide a cohesive tale from start to finish. The artwork grabs the reader’s attention and the artists incorporate a variety of techniques to instill emotion into the scenes. Those found in Blackbeard are particularly good at portraying victims’ terror and Blackbeard’s fearsomeness. I particularly like how the artists of this book depict the final battle between Blackbeard and Lieutenant Maynard; it’s visually stunning without being bloody and gory. Equally compelling is how the artists depict a duel between a pirate and a sailor in Black Bart.

There are some issues with the books that may or may not bother readers. Unfortunately, the inclusion of websites is problematic. It’s great to provide additional information, but not all of the URLs are current. For example, the last one listed in Grace O’Malley – Twinkl: Who Was Grace O’Malley? – is no longer viable. I did a search to see whether the URL had changed, but the information that answers the question is no longer there. Instead “Grace O’Malley” turned up a variety of visuals and activities for use in the classroom.

While most of the artwork vividly depicts scenes and action, the graphics do have some shortcomings. The clothing in Grace O’Malley is that of a later period than the one in which she lives. Vessels of the 1500s do not have staircases – nor do those of Blackbeard’s days – and the types of cannons used on the ships differ from those of later centuries. The vessels Ching Shih and her pirates sail are junks, yet those pictured show them as being predominately Western-style ships. This detracts from the setting and misleads the reader.

There are also a few historical inaccuracies. One graphic perpetuates the myth of walking the plank. The golden age of piracy does not begin in 1701; it occurs after the War of the Spanish Succession ends in the next decade. This is supposedly why Blackbeard turns to piracy. While the depiction of how he meets Stede Bonnet is humorous, in actuality, Bonnet is gravely injured and on the mend at the time Blackbeard commandeers Bonnet’s ship.

Since this series is geared toward younger pirates in training (Reading Level: grades 2-3, Interest Level: 4-6), these books will be popular with this age group and the reinforced library bindings of the hardback editions guarantee they will stand up to frequent usage. They serve as good introductions to the pirates, and the inclusion of two females and two males ensures that the books will interest girls and boys equally. The stories do gloss over some of the seamier aspects of these pirates’ lives, so parents and teachers need not worry about this. I recommend that further investigations into these pirates be paired with these books so readers receive a fuller and more accurate picture of who Grace O’Malley, Blackbeard, Black Bart, and Ching Shih really were.


(This review originally appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/YA-biograp...)



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Cassandra James's Capitana

Capitana by Cassandra James

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


“From preparation comes perfection.” This principle guides everything that Ximena Reale does, including executing Captain Salvador Domínguez. He is a pirate guilty of murder and treason, just like her parents, and the only way to wash away the stain on her family is to be the best and to achieve the rank of cazadora. Everything on this day goes without a hitch, except that her sister fails to appear for the execution and for the pirate’s dying words, “¡Viva Gasparilla! ¡Viva la Libertad!”

For every step forward that Ximena achieves toward her goal, her sister demonstrates weakness that threatens it. Like failing to attend the hanging with all the other archivists. Each disobeyance endangers Marquessa, and makes Ximena fear that she will not be able to keep her safe as she promised the day their parents died.

Ximena does not understand why the executed pirate dared to speak such treasonous words, especially since Gasparilla died two centuries ago. He is not and cannot be alive, and yet rumors, roses, and tattoos suggest the impossible. If she can discover where his long-lost stolen treasure and the pirates’ hideout are, she will have all she needs to surmount her parents’ transgressions and attain her dream. With the help of one of the archivists, this is possible, but convincing the admiral without proof positive is highly unlikely . . . until pirates attack the city and kidnap the queen. Then the admiral re-evaluates Ximena’s treasure map, and selects her, as well as the archivist and her nemesis, to pursue the pirates. Going on this mission is her dream, but it also means that she must leave behind her sister who now languishes in prison under a sentence of death. Her only chance to save Marquessa is to return triumphant, but will Ximena do so in time?

Knowing fellow classmate Dante de Léon, he will do his best to prevent her from succeeding. He is her nemesis and gets away with every disgrace possible, but he is also untouchable. She must work for every iota she achieves, whereas he merely needs to smile because his mother is the high minister of Luza. As the most powerful member of the realm aside from the queen, she is the one person who can and will prevent Ximena from attaining her dream.

Capitana is written for ages 14 and up, but even adults will be captivated by this fantasy romance that expertly weaves piratical details, including a mock pirate trial, into a story that asks one essential question: Are you brave enough to fight for the things that are worth fighting for? Ximena Reale has foibles and strengths that enrich her as a character and make us readily identify with her. James intricately intertwines elements of realism with fantasy that ebb and flow as each successive wave crests higher and higher. At the same time, death-defying twists leave you guessing and your heart pounding as Ximena faces difficult dilemmas and truths and must decide whether the true path to follow is the same as when she begins her journey.

(Review originally appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/James.html)



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Mark Piggott's Corsair and the Sky Pirates

Corsair and the Sky Pirates by Mark Piggott

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Inspired by the writings of Jules Verne and having discovered a new source of power, Nikola Tesla collaborates with the author to create new machines that combine imagination and science. Within two decades the course of human history has changed and it pits Tesla against Thomas Edison. Tesla wishes to make life easier for the common man. Edison craves wealth and power. Theirs is a struggle that leads to many confrontations, one of which takes place over the English Channel in 1907.

Corsair, one of several infamous pirates who work for Tesla, and John Kreusi, Edison’s number two man, both seek the same thing. A pure and large fragment of Uriel, remnants of a comet that provide constant heat that never dies and have allowed the two inventors to create innovations that allow people to travel by air, land, and sea. Kreusi also knows a terrible secret about Uriel, and he’s determined to acquire this larger power source no matter the cost. If he succeeds, his boss and the powerful people who work with him can finally achieve the maniacal scheme that will lead to world domination.

The odds may be against Corsair and his sky pirates, but they always have several unexpected tricks up their sleeves. These come in handy when they drop in on the Zeppelin Valiant, where their nemesis has set a trap. They manage to evade the trap and gain the plunder they come for, as well as a few items (including a Hollerith Thinking Machine) that turn out to have unexpected dividends once they return to Tesla’s secret base in an Icelandic volcano. Both the pirates and the enemy know this encounter aboard the pride of the White Star fleet is but the first engagement in an ever-escalating game of high stakes and deadly consequences.

This steampunk adventure has an intriguing cast of characters. The enemy includes such historical personages as Edison, Wilhelm Röntgen, Mata Hari, the Pinkertons, and Marjorie Meriweather Post. The sky pirates are unique individuals with singular talents, including a blind navigator, a female spy who blends into any background, a garage mechanic turned engineer with a penchant for taking Verne’s ideas and making them a reality, and an Apache warrior. They also have an assortment of colleagues who have made their mark on history, like Sam Cody, Pancho Villa, and Geronimo. Filled with unexpected twists, betrayal, and nail-biting danger, Corsair and the Sky Pirates visits Egyptian pyramids, French caves, and the desert of the American southwest in a race to acquire what may be the only surviving pure remnant of a comet that has the potential to enrich or destroy the world. The questions are who will triumph and what will happen next?

(Review originally appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/adult-scif...)



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William C. Hammond's A Return to Duty

A Return to Duty by William C. Hammond

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Separated when their ship wrecks, followed by desperate struggles to survive, Richard and Anne Cutler reunite in New South Wales in the fall of 1845. The reasons that originally brought them to this part of the world have been successfully concluded without them. The British Royal Navy will work with the United States Navy to suppress piracy in Asian waters with Imperial China’s approval. Now, the Cutlers return home to family and friends, and to decide what course their lives will take after their ordeals.

Richard secures leave from the Navy, while he and Anne work on a joint writing venture that will share their story with American readers. He also steps into the role of director of Cutler & Sons, after his predecessor was lost at sea while in the Far East. In his new role, he agrees with the older members of the family that under no circumstances will Cutler ships import opium into the United States. Some younger family members don’t agree with this since the importation is legal.

Before he decides whether to resign his commission and take full control of the family business, Richard needs to return to the Far East and confer with their agents there. He will also work with the American and Royal Navies in their attempt to stop the pirates from seizing merchant ships and to rescue their captives, many of whom are American sailors. His journey reunites him with two of his men from the shipwreck, both of whom played crucial roles in their survival after the disaster. One is Lieutenant Jonathan “Jonty” Montgomery, who now serves aboard Columbia. He’s become smitten with Daisy Cutler, whose father is the director of the Asian segment of the company. An encounter with pirates leads to a severe injury, but Jonty is determined not to let it end his naval career. He’s just as certain that he and Daisy will marry one day.

The other survivor is Jack Brengle, Richard’s former executive officer and now a captain in his own right. He commands the steamship that will take Richard to the Far East. First, though, the pair must track down Richard’s niece, Lucy Seymour, who has mysteriously disappeared. It’s possible that her disappearance is connected to Harlan Sturgis, who was romancing Richard’s mother until she realized all he wanted was information about the company to use to his advantage.

A Return to Duty is the eighth offering in the Cutler Family Chronicles. It centers around the lucrative trade of the highly addictive opium that resulted in war between China and Great Britain, and the brutal and persistent marauding of Chinese pirates on foreign shipping. The characters are expertly drawn and they pull you into the story with a full gamut of emotions. Hammond deftly weaves his research into his tale without ever allowing you to notice that he’s done so. Instead, he breathes life into a world that no longer exists and yet seems real enough to touch. He masterfully crafts unsettling action involving sharks, fire ships, bomb vessels, and boarders in a gut-wrenching climax that is tempered with love and reunion.

(Review originally appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/WHammond.h...)



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