Throughout history, legendary pirates have sailed the world’s oceans in search of fortune and freedom. Across the globe, these notorious buccaneers rose to infamy through daring exploits and ambition. While you might be familiar with fictional pirates like Captain Jack Sparrow, these nonfiction books reveal true stories from pirates around the world.
Trigger Warning: This article and recommended books contain potentially disturbing content from historical accounts of pirates, including violence, enslavement, kidnapping, colonialism, executions, and other criminal activity. Please exercise personal care while reading and research triggering content before purchasing.
The Pirate Queen of Ireland: The Adventures of Grace O’Malley by Anne Chambers
Follow the legendary journey of Grace O’Malley, once a young girl in coastal Ireland whose sailing talent takes her through wars, multiple marriages, and a meeting with Queen Elizabeth I. In this young adult account, Anne Chambers introduces readers to the remarkable life and adventures of Ireland’s most famous pirate of the 16th century.
Barbary Pirate: The Life and Crimes of John Ward the Most Infamous Privateer of his Time by Greg Bak
John Ward was once an ordinary seaman, but in 1603 he led a mass desertion from the Navy of James I of England and defected to the Ottoman Empire. Greg Bak outlines Ward’s journey to wealth in his successful attacks against Christian shipping in Tunis, cementing his legacy as the infamous Judas of England.
Enemy of All Mankind: A True Story of Piracy, Power, and History’s First Global Manhunt by Steven Johnson
Henry Every was a notorious 17th-century pirate wanted dead or alive by the British government. Steven Johnson focuses on Every’s key attack on an Indian treasure ship, highlighting his impact on the economy and the global manhunt that pursued him.
The Pirate Hunter: The True Story of Captain Kidd by Richard Zacks
Captain Kidd is a legendary name modern pirate lovers are sure to recognize, but not everyone knows that he was once a New York sea captain initially hired to hunt pirates. In this biography, Richard Zacks outlines Captain Kidd’s rise to piracy and his harrowing voyages from New York, London, the Caribbean, and more.
The Daring Exploits of Pirate Black Sam Bellamy: From Cape Cod to the Caribbean by Jamie Goodall
Operating off the coast of colonial New England, Sam Bellamy became one of the wealthiest pirates in the Atlantic during his life. While his name once faded into obscurity, Jamie Goodall unveils the tragic discoveries from his newly uncovered shipwreck in 1984.
Blackbeard: America’s Most Notorious Pirate by Angus Konstam
Despite being one of the most notable names in the history of piracy, much of Blackbeard’s life has remained a mystery. Pirate expert Angus Konstam breaks down the pirate’s savage career through tactics for cruelty and rare accounts from surviving victims to reveal the truth behind the life of this brutal buccaneer.
If a Pirate I Must Be: The True Story of “Black Bart,” King of the Caribbean Pirates by Richard Sanders
Bartholomew Roberts, better known as Black Bart, wasn’t the ordinary Caribbean pirate: he never drank rum, banned gambling on his ships, and never forced anyone to walk the plank. Richard Sanders reveals Black Bart’s remarkable rise to power and what life was like under his command.
Pirate Queens: The Lives of Anne Bonny & Mary Read by Rebecca Alexandra Simon
In 1720, Anne Bonny and Mary Read terrorized the seas of the Caribbean, becoming notorious pirates as they escaped social constraints placed on women. Rebecca Alexandra Simon unveils their intriguing lives and backgrounds, highlighting the pair’s bravery, cruelty, and determination for freedom.
The Pirates Laffite: The Treacherous World of the Corsairs of the Gulf by William C. Davis
At large in the Gulf of Mexico after the War of 1812, the Laffite brothers targeted the U.S. Navy and sold contraband to private citizens in New Orleans. William C. Davis reveals their treacherous allegiances and political schemes as they became paid spies for the Spanish government.
The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Coast by Michael Scott Moore
In this riveting memoir, journalist Michael Scott Moore details his three-year captivity by Somali pirates until his ransom in 2014. What began as a trip to document Somali piracy concluded with Moore experiencing the dangers he set out to investigate, offering a firsthand look into the history and economy of modern pirates.
From pirate queens to notorious names, these biographies will never have to walk the plank. Each book is full of treasure in the form of daring adventures and dangerous missions, making this list perfect for any reader looking to set sail on a pirate journey.
Looking to learn more about pirates? Check out this article here!
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