The Sea Rover's Practice: Pirate Tactics and Techniques, 1630-1730

If you want to know how pirates in the America's worked then this book is for you. If like me you have seen too many Hollywood movies this book is an eye-opener.Piracy was a business. A pirate was a businessman and so any attack would be measured by a commercial cost/benefit analysis first. So it was done as cheaply as possible using commando methods. That is why it is good the writer having been a naval seal knows and understands these methods. Which he discusses well.One doubt on this book I have is it discusses how a professional pirate would have done it, I am sure that many pirates were amateurish. A few people decide to go pirate take over a ship and learn on-the-job. This book only discusses the ideal tactics. Not how it was often done but how it was suppose to be done.I also found it fascinating the discussions of the social structure of the ship. The pirate leader does not have a formal chain of command like the military caption have. He is in charge ultimately because the crew want him to be in charge. If he does not match up to the crews expectations he is out.I hope the writer does a sequel on Muslim and Chinese pirates.PS I even like the recipes at the end and am keen to try them out. I wonder if one of them the rum punch with lime was popular as it would stop scurvy. The medical benefits of citrus foods was known about this time although not proven till the late 1700s.

We know SEALs do everything 110%--and then some, and the author's work here is characteristicly thorough. Everything you ever wanted to know about the actual life of a pirate. Want to know a few ruses for putting a quick broadside on a pursuing target? Ever wondered what weapons a pirate truly favored and how he (and sometimes she) employed them? What's the difference b/w a buccaneer and a filibuster, or privateer and pirate? What was daily life really like for a 16th/17th century sailor? This book supplies the answers to all that and more. A superb work for anyone wanting to get a true understanding of these fascinating figures. I also highly recommend David Cordingly's Under the Black Flag as a more general companion piece to separate fact from fiction.

Mr. Little, an experienced "rover" himself from his time in the USN SEALs, does this topic justice in his book. Well and exhaustively researched, this book gives a great peek into the reality of the pirate/privateer life that is so often romanticized in book and film.Every aspect of the sea rovers' life is placed before the reader, from seamanship to boarding tactics, to life on shore after a successful cruise. In the back of the book, you can find statistics for firearms and great guns, several glosseries for ships and people, and even some simple recipies buccaneers would have used.The only minor quibble I might have is that the style of the writing can seem stilted and list like, but that was not frequent and did not detract from my enjoyment of the work.This is a must read for anyone with an interest in maratime history or pirates.

Excellent book for researchWell written

I highly recomend this for re-enactors, writers and scholars. I have studied pirates for years, and own the classics such as Johnson's History and a number of others including several by piratologists Angus Konstam and David Cordingly. Reading the Sea Rover's practice was incredible, enlightening and incredibly informing and I can accuratey say The Sea Sea Rover's Practice is in my top 4 and possibly even top three pirate books I own knowlege wise. and that is out of at least several dozen. I will reread it as soon as possible to absorb more of the treasure it holds.

How many times do you get to read a book on a compelling subject, thoroughly and flawlessly researched, written by a truly gifted and entertaining author. I have copies in paperback and on my Kindle, so when I get tied of the rather dry academic stuff I usually read, I can read a chapter or two of Benerson Little to clear my head. I you have any interest in pirates AT ALL, you MUST read this book!

got this for a christmas gift for my brother who is into all thing pirate. haven't given it to him yet, but like the look of the cover and it came in good condition

In midst of 17th century historical research, I fell upon this wonderful book. If you are a pirate 're-enactor' or even just afficionado, do not miss reading this gem, full of juicy detail. Love the explanations of weapons in particular; the author actually fires his musket from a dugout canoe, tests ranges, loads cartridges with swashbuckling panache.

Concise yet thorough, this is such a tremendous book for reference and research. I have the e-book version, but needed quicker reference for a project I'm working on, so bought a hard copy. It's a book I come back to time and again; an invaluable tool for anyone interested in maritime history.

A great book. Very rich in detail and exciting to read. Bibiliogrpahy is superb and the author loves his subject rather than just knows about it. Criticism: Poor diagrams but they serve their purpose. Photos of weapons would be better but I know that would affect the price of the book. Still excellent and unique book.

Would I exchange places with a pirate? Maybe not, action packed though their life might be, it was short and filled with pain, suffering, disease, drunkenness and poverty.But I admire them for their adrenaline filled sea battles, hard drinking and whoring on the Spanish Main.For ever Francis Drake that earned fame and fortune and died a hero there were hundreds of Israel Hands who ended their pirate careers begging on the streets of London starving and crippled.But they lived like real men. If you are one of those who believe that it is better to live like a lion for one day then a sheep for a lifetime then these are the men for you.

Reads much like a textbook but a very thorough account of how pirates actually functioned. Amazing accounts of well documented practices. Also enjoyed the weapons and sailing strategies. Good read

Interessant geschrieben. Habe viel dazu gelernt. Manchmal etwas langatmig.