Arrgh! I would prefer fiction, mateys, but I'm not averse to reading historical accounts as well. Do I need to draw me cutlass, ya scurvy seadogs?

Honk!

There's the obvious Treasure Island - other than that, I'm drawing a blank. For general adventure on the high seas though, I would suggest the Horatio Hornblower series by C.S. Forester, and Moby Dick, of course.

Best historical book about pirates I've read is Under The Black Flag by David Cordingly, it's a really fascinating account of what pirates were actually like. As entertaining as any fiction IMHO. Arrr!

Don't know any specific titles myself but how about trying some books on the pirate/American-hero Jean Lafitte. I'm sure there must be some good biography's on his life and quite likely some historical fiction as well.

What ever happened to him; I'd be curious to hear (if you choose to read about him)?

If you don't mind tongue-in-cheek,
try _Pyrates!_ by Fraser.
(The author may be slightly incorrect--
he's the same guy that did the Flashman
books).

==Jake

A few more links for your delectation:

http://www.geocities.com/pirates_hol...e_sources.html

http://www.ebs.hw.ac.uk/EDC/CAC/pirates/pirates.htm

http://www.legends.dm.net/pirates/ (Sierra Disc's recommendation is listed there as "The One Essential Reference")

http://www.noquartergiven.net/bibl8.htm

Wilbur Smith has two great books "Birds of Prey" and its sequel "Monsoon". While they're not exactly pirates novels, they have the same kind of swashbuckling action and adventure on the high seas.

I second this book, it really is a fascinating read...

If you can find it, "On Stranger Tides" by Tim Powers.

I saw this in the bookstore the other night and damn_near picked it up.

You know, I've had The Stress of Her Regard for like ten years, and still haven't read it yet. I'[m feelin' like Burgess Meredith in the Twilight Zone now.

Many thanks for these suggestions, I'm in the middle of reading "Birds of Prey" right now and it is one of the best novels I've ever had the pleasure of reading, mijnheer.

Honk!

There are plenty of books about pirates for kids, but I was wondering if anyone could recommend some that are geared more towards adults? I'm not really looking for fiction, more into history or biographies. Thanks.

And I don't mean pirate erotica when I use the word "adult."

See above!

[]

A pirate walks in to a local bar and the bartender looks at him and says, "Do you know that there is a steering wheel in your pants?"

The pirate looks sad and says "Ay, and it drives me nuts!"

Thanks for merging my thread into this one, benedict. Not sure why I didn't do a search first. I usually do.

I just may have to try that Under the Black Flag.

Good one, namrufmot.

And if we're telling pirate jokes, my favorite stupid little joke for the past couple of years has been, "Did you here about that new pirate movie? It's rated Arrrr." Of course, now that there actually is a new pirate movie out and it's PG-13, I'll have to retire the joke for a while.

Haven't read it, but just came across Pirate Hunter - looks like it might be of interest. Check out the Amazon listmania lists also - there's a load of pirate books listed in those.

long time ago (late 70's early 80's??) i enjoyed reading The Island - i believe by Peter Benchley about modern day pirates - it was made into a movie with michael caine.

Looking for a fiction Pirate book, something that tells the tales of a pirate. Something that is raw and geared more towards adults. Not looking for any Pirates of the Carribean movie spin off books, but a good ole tale of swashbuckling. Anything out there, or any recommendations? Thanks.

See above for books both fictional and historical.

Aye, thanks for merging my thread as well. Are any of the books listed fiction ones that tell the gruesome side to pirates like the ravaging, and ruthless murders and torturing?

"I Yam What I Yam": The True Popeye Story

Both by Richard Zachs and both historical novels, I loved both of them. Pirate Hunter is the story of Captain Kidd and the Pirate Coast is about the United States in the early 1800's tyring to rescue sailors from Muslim pirates in Tripoli.

This book has been OOP for years and very hard to find, but it's back in print now if anyone wants to check it out. I've just started reading it myself.

Although fantasy vs fiction, Robin Hobb's Liveship Traders series has a heavy pirate theme.