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The Kaiser's Pirates: Hunting Germany's Raiding Cruisers in World War I
The Kaiser’s Pirates is a dramatic and little-known story of World War I, when the actions of a few men shaped the fate of nations. By1914 Germany had ships and sailors scattered across the globe, protecting its overseas colonies and “showing the flag” of its new Imperial Navy. After war broke out on August 4 there was no hope that they could reach home. Instead, they were ordered to attack Britain’s vital trade routes for as long as possible. Under the leadership of a few brilliant, audacious men, they unleashed a series of raids that threatened Britain’s war effort and challenged the power and prestige of the Royal Navy. The next year saw a battle of wits which stretched across the globe, drawing in ships and men from six empires.
By the end, the “Kaiser’s Pirates” were no more, and Britain once again ruled the waves. Including vivid descriptions of the battles of Coronel and the Falklands and the actions of the Emden, the Goeben and the Breslau, the Karsrühe and the Königsberg, The Kaiser’s Pirates tells a fascinating narrative that ranges across the Atlantic, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific, and the Caribbean.
Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history--books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
By the end, the “Kaiser’s Pirates” were no more, and Britain once again ruled the waves. Including vivid descriptions of the battles of Coronel and the Falklands and the actions of the Emden, the Goeben and the Breslau, the Karsrühe and the Königsberg, The Kaiser’s Pirates tells a fascinating narrative that ranges across the Atlantic, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific, and the Caribbean.
Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history--books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
404 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 26, 2020
I enjoyed this book. The German Empire and Pirates? What more could you want? But really it was a great account of the conflict and the stories of these men. I enjoyed the first hand accounts, some hilarious and some bringing to light how horrifying and harrowing naval combat can be.
I found it admirable that these men continued the fight knowing full well that they were outgunned and outnumbered and that it would only be a matter of time before British ships in superior numbers hunted them down, probably resulting in their death. But they still kept to the code fighting honorably and evacuating civilians on boats before sinking them and dropping them off at port even at the expense of maybe being spotted or found by enemy ships. The glances of humanity that shine through are inspiring.
I found it admirable that these men continued the fight knowing full well that they were outgunned and outnumbered and that it would only be a matter of time before British ships in superior numbers hunted them down, probably resulting in their death. But they still kept to the code fighting honorably and evacuating civilians on boats before sinking them and dropping them off at port even at the expense of maybe being spotted or found by enemy ships. The glances of humanity that shine through are inspiring.
April 29, 2020
The doomed men of the Kruezergeschwader fought against the might of the British Navy in the early years of WWI with an anachronistic mix of chivalry and savagery that seems more at home in the age of sail than in a modern war. Very informative and entertaining, recommended for any student of military or naval history.
September 20, 2021
Well written, easy to read. Not a lot new for anyone who has a good understanding of World War One naval history but there is fascinating detail and good storytelling here.
If you've not read Massie's tome or other detailed works covering the era, this is a great place to start.
Recommended
If you've not read Massie's tome or other detailed works covering the era, this is a great place to start.
Recommended
July 4, 2018
This is a superb read. It is well executed from the standpoint of the balance between recounting extensive research and engagement with a thrilling narrative. Hewitt covers ground that has been well covered before. Between the days leading up to the outbreak of World War One and the subsequent twelve months, a collection of often sole cruisers ranged the ocean's wrecking havoc and tieing up substantial British and colonial capital warships. This book explores, the moral, economic and strategic implications of this short period. The individual tales of creative use of limited resources, the invention of new forms of sea-based warfare provide a primer for the evolution of fleet deployment for the next few decades. They question the value of the massive investment by the British ( allies and German navies in massive capital ships) but also the nature of the compromises between speed, armour, gun range and weight and cruising range.
Despite the wealth of context and apparent research, Hewitt brings together the various raiders' tales into a nice holistic piece that doesn't belabour the detail. It is not short on either colour or exposition, although I found his choices optimal - for me. I realise this is hugely subjective, but this treatment really appealed and even when I wondered why I was taking the time to cover older ground, I couldn't put this one down.
It established the broader context in a thoroughly enjoyable manner, set the accomplishments of the various players into the context and demonstrated a thorough research agenda combined with superb editing.
I would highly recommend this for anyone even vaguely interested in the First World War at sea outside of the rather unitary engagement of the German High Seas Fleet (Jutland) or the first uses of U-Boat. The activities of the surface raiders in the Pacific, South Atlantic and East Africa are the stuff of legend in fairness. Desperate (but well trained) men in times of particular challenge making creative decisions. I was struck by the author's decision to keep the various exploits in the context of warfare, making careful note of loss of life and of tactical and strategic advantage versus overall theatres. The tales are set within the context of what they caused and achieved and balancing realities against mythologies.
14 German ships, 15 British ships and a global hare chase that demonstrated both the vicissitudes of personality, the role of fate and circumstances that forced a reckoning with true character. Highly recommended.
Despite the wealth of context and apparent research, Hewitt brings together the various raiders' tales into a nice holistic piece that doesn't belabour the detail. It is not short on either colour or exposition, although I found his choices optimal - for me. I realise this is hugely subjective, but this treatment really appealed and even when I wondered why I was taking the time to cover older ground, I couldn't put this one down.
It established the broader context in a thoroughly enjoyable manner, set the accomplishments of the various players into the context and demonstrated a thorough research agenda combined with superb editing.
I would highly recommend this for anyone even vaguely interested in the First World War at sea outside of the rather unitary engagement of the German High Seas Fleet (Jutland) or the first uses of U-Boat. The activities of the surface raiders in the Pacific, South Atlantic and East Africa are the stuff of legend in fairness. Desperate (but well trained) men in times of particular challenge making creative decisions. I was struck by the author's decision to keep the various exploits in the context of warfare, making careful note of loss of life and of tactical and strategic advantage versus overall theatres. The tales are set within the context of what they caused and achieved and balancing realities against mythologies.
14 German ships, 15 British ships and a global hare chase that demonstrated both the vicissitudes of personality, the role of fate and circumstances that forced a reckoning with true character. Highly recommended.
April 28, 2020
As Germany emerged on the world stage, it became apparent that it saw itself a future world power. To do that, Kaiser Wilhelm looked across at his royal family brothers and sister in England. What he saw was a tiny island nation that maintained its colonial empire through the use of a vast navy.
Unfortunately, Wilhelm fundamentally misunderstood the reason for Britain's navy. To the German eye, it was considered an arm of its military might; in reality, the British navy was the lifeblood for the island nation. Even then, Germany went about it with half measures. It further failed to understand not only that you can't out build the British navy, but also you cannot pick and choose which elements of a naval force to build. As a result, its few ships were unable to mount an effective battle on the open waters. The situation was made worse when the blockade of Germany's harbors effectively took much of their fleet from play before the war was started in earnest.
The result is that the remainder of the German fleet resorted to becoming pirates. The strategy of the Kaiserliche Marine was for each ship to do as much damage as possible before meeting its end at the hands of the vastly superior British navy. Hewitt's book then becomes a series of short stories detailing the adventures of these nine ships as they plied their trade among the high seas. All of the stories are tragic; yet unlike their land brethren, there are still stories of humane and chivalrous behavior.
The e-book suffers from the usual problem of maps that are too small to be read which does affect trying to visualize the adventures of these piratical men, but it is not enough to detract from what is an engaging story that gives many different individuals a moment in the historical spotlight.
BOTTOM LINE: A great change of pace for the World War I scholar as well as those who love naval history.
Unfortunately, Wilhelm fundamentally misunderstood the reason for Britain's navy. To the German eye, it was considered an arm of its military might; in reality, the British navy was the lifeblood for the island nation. Even then, Germany went about it with half measures. It further failed to understand not only that you can't out build the British navy, but also you cannot pick and choose which elements of a naval force to build. As a result, its few ships were unable to mount an effective battle on the open waters. The situation was made worse when the blockade of Germany's harbors effectively took much of their fleet from play before the war was started in earnest.
The result is that the remainder of the German fleet resorted to becoming pirates. The strategy of the Kaiserliche Marine was for each ship to do as much damage as possible before meeting its end at the hands of the vastly superior British navy. Hewitt's book then becomes a series of short stories detailing the adventures of these nine ships as they plied their trade among the high seas. All of the stories are tragic; yet unlike their land brethren, there are still stories of humane and chivalrous behavior.
The e-book suffers from the usual problem of maps that are too small to be read which does affect trying to visualize the adventures of these piratical men, but it is not enough to detract from what is an engaging story that gives many different individuals a moment in the historical spotlight.
BOTTOM LINE: A great change of pace for the World War I scholar as well as those who love naval history.
January 6, 2017
Interesting books on WWI German commerce raiders. It was a different world a century ago. Recommended.
May 17, 2019
Well written and worth it
An obviously well researched and well written work on the much less well known ships of the Kaiser. Most books cover the sexy glamorous “big ships”, or maybe the classic Emden for example. This gives you a history of all the Kaiser’s cruisers and AMC’s available at the start of the war, their successes and failures and discusses the question “were they worth it”.
An obviously well researched and well written work on the much less well known ships of the Kaiser. Most books cover the sexy glamorous “big ships”, or maybe the classic Emden for example. This gives you a history of all the Kaiser’s cruisers and AMC’s available at the start of the war, their successes and failures and discusses the question “were they worth it”.
December 8, 2019
A little know side note about World War I, was that Germany had a number of small cruisers scattered around the globe at the beginning of the War. They became commerce raiders, and for several months kept the allied navies busy tracking them down. This book is the story of the Kaiser’s Pirates and a fascinating story it is. The odds were completely against them, yet the did what they could and became legends at home.
April 16, 2020
Very interesting book on naval warfare. But only people interested in sea life will be interested in this book. The actions of these raider s did not change the out come of WW I in any form. The one lacking thing, was lack of maps or charts, showing battle areas. Good book!!!.
As the author noted, a submarine did more damage per ton tan any all the raider s put together, just not as romantic.
As the author noted, a submarine did more damage per ton tan any all the raider s put together, just not as romantic.
June 18, 2021
World War I literature, especially regarding the naval war, always seems to be overshadowed by World War II but I thought Hewitt’s book did a great job following the careers of Imperial Germany’s commerce raiders. I always believed they were more successful than the book detailed so it was quite educational.
June 25, 2021
Kaiser
Interesting narrative on the early World War I sea war between Germany and Great Britain's cruiser class ships. I learned a lot. However I would probably not read more from this author on the subject.
Interesting narrative on the early World War I sea war between Germany and Great Britain's cruiser class ships. I learned a lot. However I would probably not read more from this author on the subject.
March 6, 2022
Interesting perspective about naval operations in World War I. Has some great stories about naval battles, heroism and leadership. Definitely a different perspective on World War I than you usually get.
May 2, 2020
I truly enjoyed this book. The author kept me engaged the entire length. I never knew anything about the German Private ships and this added more to my understanding of the bravery of sailors.
May 16, 2020
Excellent!
An excellent overview, well documented and very well written. I will look for a hard copy to add to my WW1 collection.
An excellent overview, well documented and very well written. I will look for a hard copy to add to my WW1 collection.
December 27, 2022
It's probably a pretty complete coverage of the depredations of the German commerce raiders sinking allied ships, and the highlights (to me) were the actual naval battles between the Germans and the Allied cruisers when they finally did meet each other. Very high dead tolls, these battles were devastating, far from coasts and in the cold oceans. Interesting, but the topic is not really as action-packed as other more naval vessel-focused actions in WW1 and 2. But in interesting and informative "alternate" action description from a lesser-known aspect of war at sea in WW1.
September 3, 2020
A very interesting book of little known actions by the Imperial German Navy at the onset of WWI.
Detailed and talks about the men involved as well as the ships and the plans of the opposing parties.
Would recommend this to those who have an interest in naval affairs and the reasons for things happening the way they do.
Detailed and talks about the men involved as well as the ships and the plans of the opposing parties.
Would recommend this to those who have an interest in naval affairs and the reasons for things happening the way they do.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews