Review by Choice Review
Lincoln (deputy director, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich) is an established maritime and 18th-century scholar. Like her Representing the Navy: British Sea Power, 1750-1815 (2002), this book is primarily a cultural history, giving as much weight to fictional (or biased) accounts of piracy as to fact. The initial two chapters cover well-trodden ground, adding only detail to conventional lore regarding the golden age of Piracy. The following chapters, however, offer substantial insight into the period even for those well versed in pirate history. Examining representations of pirates with regard to law, commerce, polite society, colonialist representations of Madagascar, and family life, Lincoln explores how Britain tolerated pirates when it worked to the advantage of commercial interests, but ultimately persecuted them to promote a stable social structure that would form the basis of national wealth. The final chapter examines present-day representations of pirates, including depictions of Somali piracy, questioning whether centuries of tradition have clouded the perception of the current situation. This engaging history is complemented by 14 black-and-white illustrations and 8 color plates, a bibliography strong on primary sources, and a thorough index. Summing Up: Recommended. All levels/libraries. --William L. Svitavsky, Rollins College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
