privateering

Presents true stories of English, French, and Dutch privateers who attacked ships along the Spanish Main, Spain s territory on the northern coast of South America. Profiles the lives of such notable pirates as Francis Drake, Jean Bontemps, and John Hawkins.

Introduction to the highwaymen and women of the seas, from the cruel Cilician pirates who terrorized the Mediterranean more than 2,000 years ago to the well-organized and ruthless modern-day buccaneers who target supertankers on the South China Sea.

Tells the story of America's "civilian navy" (privateers) during the Revolutionary War, in which 2,000 privately armed American vessels captured sixteen British warships and almost 3,000 merchantmen.

Examines the naval tactics of the American colonies during the Revolutionary War, and focuses on the acts of piracy which set sites against British merchant ships, and discusses how the spoils were divided.

Chronicles the lives and exploits of Jean and Pierre Laffite, privateers along the Gulf Coast during the early 1800s and describes how they raided Spanish merchant ships and came to assist the U.S. against English during the War of 1812.

Traces the career of Jean Lafitte through his days as a Gulf of Mexico buccaneer to his role as defender of New Orleans and his final disappearance in 1826 under uncertain circumstances.

Describes the experiences of pirates and privateers in the New World, discussing how they helped shape the world.

Presents a biography of sixteen-century British navigator and privateer Sir Francis Drake, who was commissioned by Elizabeth I to help establish England as a maritime empire and gain victory over the Spanish Armada.

A biography of the sixteenth-century English explorer who became a national hero for sailing around the world, and confirmed that status through his service as a Vice Admiral battling the Spanish Armada.

Excerpts from the author's autobiography recall his experiences as a thirteen-year-old boy serving on an American privateer ship during the Revolutionary War.