I was wondering if anyone has read any good man-o-war/Pirate books lately. I just got a biography called, "John Paul Jones: Sailor, Hero, Father of the American Navy". It is very good, although I don't like biographies. I also love the Master and Commander series with Capitan Jack Aubury by Patrick O' Brian. Does anyone know of any good Historical Fiction books like these?

While I can't speak directly to the fiction that's out there, "Under the Black Flag," by David Cordingly, is a well written general history of the "golden age" of piracy. It covers some actions in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean as well as the Carribbean. There have also been a number of other recent histories published on Kidd, Teach (Blackbeard), and others which have been well received. As to the fiction, I'm told that the Ramage novels are quite good, if a little less refined than the O'brien books. Since I work in a book store, let me take a look around and I'll get back to you with some more specific recomendations.

As I mentioned in other threads, the Alan Lewrie books by Dewey Lambdin are excellent. And they also have a ship diagram and a wind/compass sailing diagram in the front. The latest one has Lewrie chasing pirates.

Written many years ago, the Rafael Sabatini stories are still a lot of fun. 3 Captain Blood books (One an Errol Flynn movie), the Sea Hawk (different story for the Errol Flynn movie), the Black Swan (Tyrone Power movie), and more.

Hornblower books by Forrester are also a good read.

Dudley Pope wrote a bio of Henry Morgan some years ago that was excellent.

Just saw a new release:
The Pirate Coast: Thomas Jefferson, The First Marines, and the Secret Mission of 1805 by Richard Zacks (Hardcover - June 1, 2005)
Don't know much about it, but might be worth a read.

Another book of great interest:

"On Stranger Tides" by Tim Powers (who also wrote "The Anubis Gates" and "Last Call" among others).

Blackbeard, Voodoo, and the Fountain of Youth. What more could you want?

One of the greatest books ever written (imho)

The Walking Drum by Louis L'amour

He usually does westerns but this is an historically accurate work of fiction set in the 12th century. A decent portion near the start of the book takes place on the open seas with pirates on a slave galley. The young hero in the book begins his quest to search for his famous corsair father through England, Europe and the Muslim lands and finally the Valley of the Assassins.

AMAZING MUST READ NOVEL.

I second the motion on the Walking Drum by Louis L'Amour.

You might want to try his "Last of the Breed" also. Totally off pirate topic, but protagonist is an American Pilot of Indian heritage who is shot down in Russia, escapes from his prison (chapter 1, so I'm not giving anything away), and decides to cross Siberia and make his way back to America following the old geological idea of a land connection between Siberia and Alaska. Good enough for his ancestors is good enough for him. (Of course they're chasing after him.) A great read.

I really enjoy books by Robert Louis Stevenson and Wilbur Smith. You might want to check those out.

Only partially pirates, and only partially historical, but a great read nevertheless:

The Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson: Quicksilver, The Confusion, The System of the World

Oh, and of course: The Princess Bride, although more Swashbuckling than Piratical.

I'd like to add some praise for "Under the Black Flag" as well, I finished it this afternoon, and loved it. There's such a huge amount of good pirate information in that book.



Billy

any novels of revolution war sea battles, or naval battles of the war of 1812?

I just picked up a GREAT pirate book named: Pirates:Terror on the High Seas. The author of this book will be that of Angus Konstam and done by Osprey Publishing,Illustrated by Angus McBride. I found this at a place called Half Price Books and all I can say is if you are a pirate fan this book is a MUST. Great history and pirates and the illustations are worth the price of this book alone (very well done for the most part). But please note that the text in this book will keep you busy reading for hours on end,yes,it is that intresting (as is the real history of pirates,which this is). Hope you find this book and enjoy it as much as I am : ) Till next time...

Keep Faith;
-John-

I just went down to the bookstore to order a book on eese James and Kubalai khan, and I found a couple of interesting books I get you the names of these books when I return to the bookstore ;)

"Zorro" by Isablel Allende covers the story of a young Diego/Zorro in California and Spain. Turns out he meets some pirates on the way home.

Someone asked about the revolution at sea. Some of the Dewey Lambdin books are set in Colonial America and deal with the revolution up close and personal.

For a different look, try The War for America, 1775 1783 by Piers MacKesy. Tells the story from the British side.

Related topic of the revolution. If you haven't seen it, the "Patriot" starring Mel Gibson is excellent. Story is based on some true stuff, including the major characters. Gibson's has his roots in Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox. His primary antagonist (Tavington) is based on Bannistre "No Quarter" Tarleton.

betes wrote,
"I really enjoy books by Robert Louis Stevenson and Wilbur Smith. You might want to check those out."

I read a lot of Stevenson many years ago and he is a darn good storyteller.

So betes, I just checked out Wilbur Smith's "Birds of Prey", his first 'pirate' book I think. Some of the stuff is a bit cliched and seems more a story than an historical novel. Some of the sailing stuff seems untrue and the European world events back story seem a bit jumbled out of time. Must be artistic license. But still, this is a good story and a good read.