Pirate Hunter: The Life of Captain Woodes Rogers

by Graham A. Thomas

On 2 August 1708 Captain Woodes Rogers set sail from Bristol with two ships, the Duke and Duchess, on an epic voyage of circumnavigation that was to make him famous. His mission was to attack, plunder and pillage Spanish ships wherever he could. And, as Graham Thomas shows in this tense and exciting narrative, after a series of pursuits and sea battles he returned laden with booty and with a reputation as one of the most audacious and shrewd fighting captains of the age. He was then appointed governor of the Bahamas by George I with the task of suppressing the pirates who roamed this corner of the Caribbean and preyed on its shipping. He was equally successful as a privateer and pirate-hunter in an age when brutality and ruthlessness were the law of the sea.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Pirates

224 pages, Hardcover

First published October 16, 2008

Reviews

[Shaun "AceFireFox" · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly I find this man fascinating and his life is a series of ups and downs. One minute he's riding a high with fame and fortune then he's either dying, in debt or both.
Historical books are harder to review, I feel, but this does somewhat read as a story. Using what evidence there is as well as what has been previously written (which isn't exactly extensive from my knowledge), Graham A Thomas pieced together his story.
It's a fascinating story, truth be told, but it's just a shame no one really knows of the name 'Woodes Rogers'.

I'd say anyone who is interested in the period and the person, it's a must read.