Top 10 Books About Pirates

The life of a pirate has fascinated readers for hundreds of years. Minds young and old are forever being captivated by the life of sailing the seven seas in search of treasure. Long gone are the days of famous pirates and swashbuckling adventures, but it’s never too late to ignite your imagination and step into the shoes of some of the most fearsome pirate legends with the right book.

Dive into our top picks for the best books about pirates to transport yourself back to the golden age of piracy and experience first-hand, what life would have been like for the most famous pirates to have ever lived.

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

After a young Jim Hawkins finds a treasure map, he sets out to uncover the lost hoard. Along his journey, he encounters the charismatic yet deceitful pirate, Long John Silver and so begins his thrilling adventure. This universally known tale is one of suspense, survival, and treachery. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson has been captivating imaginations for over 130 years and will continue to do so for many years to come.

On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers

On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers follows the life of John Chandagnac, a puppeteer who is press-ganged into the service of a treacherous pirate crew. On Stranger Tides is an entirely fictional story that is heavily influenced by historical records of the day to create a tale that paints a vivid picture of what life might have actually been like aboard an 18th-century pirate ship.

Peter and Wendy by J.M. Barrie

Not a pirate story through and through but it's definitely one that has captured the hearts and minds of millions over the years. Peter and Wendy by J.M. Barrie follows Peter Pan and his fairy companion Tinkerbell, as they befriend Wendy, Michael, and John. Before long they are all whisked off to Neverland where they encounter the lost boys, the red Indians, and Captain Hook’s villainous crew of pirates.

Captain Blood: His Odyssey by Rafael Sabatini

Step into the shoes of the wrongfully convicted Irish physician and soldier, Peter Blood, as he is sent to the Caribbean to serve out his sentence of indentured slavery. The story of Captain Blood: His Odyssey by Rafael Sabatini continues with Blood’s escape and rise to power as one of the Spanish Main’s most feared pirates.

The Pirate Hunter by Richard Zacks

Most people have heard of the infamous Captain Kidd, but how many of you know his full story? Where did he come from? What did he do before he became a pirate? Richard Zacks’ A Pirate Hunter: The True Story of Captain Kidd uncovers the life story of the infamous pirate hunter turned pirate in incredible detail.

Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch

In Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch Locke Lamora and his trusted sidekick Jean flee to the westernmost reaches of civilization to recover after a brutal battle. Before long, they are back in the thick of it, doing what they do best – stealing from the rich. Eventually, Locke and Jean set their sights on a new prize, but will their plan succeed? or will they be foiled by a face from the past?

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

In Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller, the illusive Captain Alosa hatches a cunning plan when she is sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient map that leads to a legendary treasure trove. Deliberately letting herself be captured by her enemies, Aloha uses the opportunity to search her captor’s ship. As her plan comes together, only her captor's first mate stands in the way of success.

Pirates! by Celia Rees

In Pirates! by Celia Rees, the daughter of a recently deceased wealthy merchant, together with a slave from her family's plantation, runs away to join a pirate crew and escape the shackles of her current life. The two girls defy the gender stereotypes of their time as they go in search of adventure and the opportunity to break the restrictions placed upon them by race and position.

Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton

The year is 1665 and Captain Charles Hunter finds himself in British-occupied Jamaica with a shot at a huge prize - the Spanish ship El Trinidad. Laden with Spanish gold, this massive ship is held up in a heavily fortified Spanish port nearby. With permission from the British authorities, Captain Hunter gathers a crew and sets out to infiltrate the port and hijack the prize ship. Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton is a pirate adventure that you simply cannot miss.

Sea Queens: Women Pirates Around the World by Jane Yolen

Sea Queens: Women Pirates Around the World by Jane Yolen is an incredible collection of stories that shed light on the most significant women in pirating history. From the admiral queen of Persia who started her reign of terror around the year 500 BC, to Rachel Wall who ran away from her strict upbringing to plague the Atlantic American coastline with unchecked terror.

So, that draws our collection of books about famous pirates to an end. The legacy of the golden age of piracy has left a mark on this world that has inspired countless authors far and wide. Have you read any of these top picks? or would you add any other pirate legends to our list?

Are you looking for more book suggestions to get you through the coming winter? Check out some of our other blogs to find your inspiration!

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