A General History of the Pyrates, From Their First Rise and Settlement in the Island of Providence, to the Present Time, Second Ed.

If you’re looking to start a career of piracy, this is the place to find a role model or two. This classic work chronicles the actions and adventures of some of the 18th century’s most notorious pirates, including Henry Avery, Edward Teach (also known as Blackbeard), Stede Bonnet, “Calico Jack” Rackam and Black Bart. The book also contains biographies of two notable female pirates, Mary Read and Anne Bonny, as well as a short description of contemporary British piracy laws. There are also several engravings depicting pirates in some of their most infamous moments. The author, Captain Charles Johnson, is widely believed to be a pseudonym. Some scholars suggest that the book’s true author was English writer Daniel Defoe.