The Real History of Pirates

Exploring the reasons piracy endures from ancient times until today; why it is so difficult to both define and eradicate; how one can understand the rule of law and the rights of nations and individuals on the high seas and in borderless realms.

Examining popular pirate legends; discovering which aspects include some truth and which contain none at all; pirate literature can teach a lot about the jolly roger, gold-filled treasure chests, the pirate Edward Thatch and more.

How the Spanish's power hold on the Caribbean is broken; which nationalities join in the free-for-all; the historical importance of Alexander Exquemelin's "Buccaneers of America" and Captain Charles Johnson's "A General History of the Pyrates".

Pirates want money or anything they can turn into money; consequently, they usually wish for a speedy surrender, do not want a battle and rarely sink captured ships; the many tactics pirates use to apprehend their prey in the age of sails.

Very few pirates hit it big or try to bury their treasure on a deserted island; exploring the business aspect of piracy, which is one of the few aspects of life pirates can control; piracy is a no prey, no pay system; the risk of no pay is very real.

The complex truths of piracy and the pirate life are much different than the common tale surrounding them; the real goals of those pirates who attack and overthrow maritime powers; how the pirate motto, "a merry life and a short one", comes to be.