Pirate Hunting: The Fight Against Pirates, Privateers, and Sea Raiders from Antiquity to the Present

by Benerson Little

For thousands of years pirates, privateers, and seafaring raiders have terrorized the ocean voyager and coastal inhabitant, plundering ship and shore with impunity. From the victim’s point of view, these attackers were not the rebellious, romantic rulers of Neptune’s realm, but savage beasts to be eradicated, and those who went to sea to stop them were heroes. Engaging and meticulously detailed, Pirate Hunting chronicles the fight against these plunderers from ancient times to the present and illustrates the array of tactics and strategies that individuals and governments have employed to secure the seas. Benerson Little lends further dimension to this unending battle by including the history of piracy and privateering, ranging from the Mycenaean rovers to the modern pirates of Somalia. He also introduces associated naval warfare; maritime commerce and transportation; the development of speed under oar, sail, and steam; and the evolution of weaponry. More than just a vivid account of the war that seafarers and pirates have waged, Pirate Hunting is invaluable reading in a world where acts of piracy are once more a significant threat to maritime commerce and voyagers. It will appeal to readers interested in the history of piracy, anti-piracy operations, and maritime, naval, and military history worldwide.

Genres: Pirates, History, Nonfiction, Historical

376 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Benerson Little is an author focusing on naval history, in particular, piracy and privateering in the 17th and 18th centuries. He is a former Navy SEAL, and more recently acted as historical consultant for the Black Sails television series.

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pirate Hunting: The Fight Against Pirates, Privateers, and Sea Raiders from Antiquity to the Present by Benerson Little is an excellent historical survey from present day. LIttle presents a scholarly yet readable history of piracy from the earliest records to the action off Somalia. His footnotes at the end of the book attest to a great attention to detail. LIttle does not quote the same commonly cited sources such as Johnson and Exquemelin, so the fresh sources help build a better picture of piracy's character throughout the ages.

Little brings a wealth of practical experience to the table. First as a former Navy SEAL, he is well acquainted with small boat actions, which have for centuries been the preferred way to board and take a vessel. He is also a fencing instructor, who has great experience with close quarters combat. Benerson Little is to pirate history what Sam Willis is to the Age of Sail naval history.

I would recommend Little's books to anyone who has more than a passing interest in the problem of piracy. He does not have a political agenda coloring his work, but presents an intelligent, yet gritty view of pirates as they actually were and still are.

[Moira · Rating 1 out of 5]

This guy would have benefited greatly from an editor.

[Shahira8826 · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Pirate Hunting" by Benerson Little was an unbearably boring read, and the text was quite heavily interspersed with the author's personal opinions, which is unacceptable, in historical nonfiction.