Sailing in the 18th Century

[Victoria]

Hi, all!

I am looking for recommendations for novels about the sailing life in the early 18th century. Currently working on a HF project about a Caribbean sugar planter turned pirate in 1718. I have piles of excellent histories and primary source materials, but would like to read some good representative fiction of the period, as well. Suggestions?

[Chrissie]

Sacred Hunger is set in the mid 1700s.

[Victoria]

Thanks, Chrissie!

[Chrissie]

It was easy to remember b/c I had just read it!

[Peter]

The Requiem Shark by Nicholas Griffin could hit the spot for you, Victoria, early 18th C pirates and really well researched.

[Victoria]

Thanks so much, Peter!

[Lisa]

The only one that came to my mind was by Michael Crichton which may be more fiction then actual history. There is also a YA novel called . Its pretty good, read it awhile ago.

[Victoria]

Tbanks, Lisa. You are right about Michael Crichton's book -- a good read, but kind of a James Bond thriller set on an imaginary island in the Caribbean. I'm happy to read a well-done YA, and will take a look at that, as well. I appreciate the suggestions!

[Gary]

I highly recommend Linda Collison's Barbados Bound and Surgeon's Mate. They're set in the Carribean in the early 18th century; same time and place as your HF project.

Barbados BoundSurgeon's Mate

[Victoria]

Thanks, Gary! Great suggestions!

[Peter]

Jamaica Passage by Robert Challoner is too late for your slot, Victoria, but it's a rattling good read!

[Donna]

I think the Aubrey Maturin books would have a lot to offer in terms of sea-life even though they are later.

[~Leslie~]

Marsha Canham writes the best romantic fiction about pirates I have ever read. Her ability to describe life at sea and sea battles is amazing.

[Donna]

I love Marsha Canham but every once in a while she has the most bizarre anachronisms in her books. I think it was The Iron Rose that had bedsprings and Redcoats in the early 17th century.

[Peter]

There are plenty of "boy-books" to give sea-life, and I'm with Donna on Aubrey-Maturin, the best as far as I'm concerned. I detest the expression bromance, but that is a meaty series of 20 books about a relationship, marriages and sea-battles as tasty side-courses. Glad to hear about Marsha Canham and will explore.

[Marcia]

See my novels Morgan's Way about Henry Morgan in Jamaica, and The Liberty Boys, about the seafarers of Savannah during the American Revolution.

[Lisa]

Marcia wrote: "See my novels Morgan's Way about Henry Morgan in Jamaica, and The Liberty Boys, about the seafarers of Savannah during the American Revolution."

I actually just got my Dad a book for Christmas called Pirates of Savannah: The Complete Trilogy that I think had something to do with the seafarers of Savannah, he said he liked it alot

[~Leslie~]

@Donna - completely agree about Marsha Canham! And she is definitely polically incorrect - so you have to be prepared. But her ability to describe life at sea is amazing!

[Gabriel]

Wilbur Smith's Bird's of Prey, Moonsoon, and Blue Horizon deal with sailing, but in the 17th c.

[David]

I think On Stranger Tides, by Tim Powers, was set in the 18th Century. The Disney movie has nothing in common with the book except for the title. Although there are many fantasy elements, it's a swashbuckling adventure by a fine writer.

[Bryn]

I in no way endorse this product. But it's free today on Amazon (even for Australians, that's unusual--can't promise for where you are in the world):

http://www.amazon.com/Caribbee-ebook/...

1648 Barbados and Jamaica. Called a potboiler.

Caribbee Thomas Hoover

[Eric]

Bryn sez"1648 Barbados and Jamaica. Called a potboiler.

http://www.amazon.com/Caribbee-ebook/...
"

I'll be on the road for the month of March, so I downloaded it. Still free today, Sunday, Feb.24. I'll let you know. Thanks for the tip.

[Eric]

Kathy sez: "Under the Black Flag is an excellent non-fiction book about real pirates including shipboard life. Can't link on the phone, sorry."

I'll check it out. Thanks!