Product Description

Take a close-up look at the colorful--and cruel--robbers of the sea. Learn

who devised the terrifying Jolly Roger, how a surprisingly disciplined life was

maintained aboard pirate ships, and what cunning ruses pirates used to lure

merchants to their doom.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #89202 in Books
• Published on: 2007-06-26
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 72 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8?While stunning, full-color photographs and illustrations continue to be the hallmark of this series, one shouldn't overlook the accompanying texts. Platt looks at the subject of piracy from the time of ancient Greece to the 19th century in double-page topic treatments. Readers are introduced to privateers, buccaneers, and corsairs, and told how they differ. Illustrations of various types of pirate ships, and the merchant vessels that were most often their targets, are particularly effective. Unfortunately, maps are few and far between and those included are too small and poorly labeled to be of much use. Building contains all of the virtues of other "Eyewitness" books, but is hampered by trying to cover too much territory. The history of building techniques, materials, and philosophy from earth-and-thatch houses to cathedrals and skyscrapers is crammed into the 64-page format. Some of the technical terms introduced, e.g., "plinth," are not adequately explained, and there is no glossary. Despite their drawbacks, both books are suitable additions to libraries.?David N. Pauli, Missoula Public Library, MT
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The New York Times
...a mini museum between the covers of a book. [Eyewitness series]

School Library Journal
These books' striking visual impact will draw in even the most casual readers. [Eyewitness series]

Customer Reviews

Shiver me timbers, this book be scurvylicious!!
DK eyewitness books are some of the greatest non-fiction books around. The distinctive white background and high-quality photography gives this book an edge over any other pirate picture book. And -- these pictures are real! They're beautiful photos of historically piratey things, accompanied by informative captions and text.

Learn about Anne Bonny, a fearsome female pirate, peruse the pictures of pirate treasure, from Spanish doubloons to richly ornamented crosses. Compare the different pirate flags, and learn about who made each one. Check out the different types of ships, authentic pirate clothes and weapons, and a storehouse of other REAL pirate information.

If you know someone (young or old) who is fascinated by all things pirate, then you must introduce them to this book! It's a visual crash course in pirateness, and it's excellent!