A General History of the Lives, Murders and Adventures of the Most Notorious Pirates

Hardback

Main Details

Title A General History of the Lives, Murders and Adventures of the Most Notorious Pirates
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Captain Charles Johnson
Edited by Sam Willis
Physical Properties
Format:Hardback
Pages:400
Dimensions(mm): Height 234,Width 156
Category/GenreBritish and Irish History
ISBN/Barcode 9780712353908
ClassificationsDewey:910.45
Audience
General
Illustrations 20 black and white illustrations

Publishing Details

Publisher British Library Publishing
Imprint British Library Publishing
Publication Date 24 September 2020
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

First published in 1724 following a marked increase in pirate attacks on the Spanish Main and the resultant Wapping executions, Captain Charles Johnson's A General History of Pirates is the most famous, and most influential, book about pirates ever written. Famed for its vigorous prose and uncanny understanding of the pirates' way of life, Johnson's volumes became the forerunners of the real-life criminal biography genre and inspired the likes of Defoe's Moll Flanders and Fielding's Jonathan Wild. Without them there would have been no Peter Pan, Treasure Island or Captain Jack Sparrow. This new edition presents twenty action-packed biographies detailing the blood-thirsty escapades of Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, William Avery and Bartholomew Roberts. The celebrated female pirates Mary Reed and Anne Bonny also owe their subsequent notoriety to Johnson's book. Originally published in folio size complete with fine copper engravings, this new edition not only includes the very best of the original decorative features but also presents a series of related illustrations, adverts, playbills and portraits from the British Library.

Author Biography

The identity of Captain Charles Johnson has long been a mystery. Suspected as a pseudonym for Daniel Defoe, author of Robinson Crusoe, or even as a pirate himself, neither has ever been confirmed. His books are the prime source of information on the great age of piracy and road adventurers and have inspired numerous plays, books and films including Treasure Island, Peter Pan and Pirates of the Caribbean.