Caribbean Pirates: A Treasure Chest of Fact, Fiction, and Folklore

by George Beahm

Is a pirate’s life for you? Here’s how to live the life of a Caribbean pirate! Think you know everything there is to know about pirates, do you? Well me bucko, you’ve got a lot to learn, and here’s where you can drink your fill! I’m “Scurvy Dog” George Beahm and, along with “Long John” Tim Kirk (a former Disney artist), we’re here to take you on a pirate cruise to the Caribbean, where you can shoot, scoot, and loot to your plundering heart’s content. We’ll show you how to find your sea legs and get you ship-shape so you can sail the high seas and pillage the New World with the most ferocious cutthroats that ever hoisted the Jolly Roger! Well, “arrr” you ready? With artwork commissioned especially for this book from artist Tim Kirk, and illustrated with 145 full-color photos, this book tells you everything you’d want to know about Caribbean pirates! How to talk, dress, and live like a pirate on cruises and at pirate festivals. Where to find the best pirate museums in the world. A quiz to test your pirate knowledge. And, best of all, a no-holds-barred look at pirate history through the lens of Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean . Were pirates really hung? Who was Davy Jones? Were there cannibals in the Caribbean? Find out in this fun and fact-filled book!

Genres: History, Pirates, Nonfiction

233 pages, Paperback

First published March 27, 2007

About the author

George Beahm writes books about censorship, sports figures, and numerous literary figures, including Patricia Cornwell, J.K. Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, Philip Pullman, and others.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book suffers from a bit of an identity crises. Is it a book about pirates based on fact, with stories about real pirates? Is it a commentary on the Disney Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, including the movies (but not the thrid, because it hadn't been released at the time the book was written), park rides and where to buy the best memoribilia? Or is it a travel book, telling us where to visit actual pirate hangouts and where to see the best pirate reenactments and boat restorations??

The answer is that it is all of those things, and a little bit more. A bit of everything-but-the-kitchen-sink look at "pirates". I wouldn't say that this is a bad thing, necessarily. It just might not be what you're looking for. There's enough variety to make it interesting to kids and adults alike.

[Nate · Rating 1 out of 5]

If books could be considered "shovelware", this would fit that category. It is like a Disney promotional pamphlet for the Pirates of the Caribbean films and park rides wrapped around some random pirate facts that are repeated throughout the book. This is really not worth your time if you are looking for serious facts and history on pirates. However, if you are interested in information about the Disney park rides, the parks themselves, with a smattering of trivia, then this might be worth reading. I just wasn't impressed.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

answers to questions dealing with pirates (letters of marque, etc.), books and website resources, etc. Good book to rec to middle schooler or young teen fascinated by pirates; also a resource for programs.

[Priscilla Sage · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has some interesting things in it.