Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Pirates, privateers, corsairs, filibusters, picarons - from ancient Egypt to the present day - pirates have harassed shipping on seas all over the world. This book takes a visual voyage of treasure and terror to provide insight into the life and times of pirates, both men and women.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

School Library Journal Review

Gr 5-8‘While stunning, full-color photographs and illustrations continue to be the hallmark of this series, one shouldn't overlook the accompanying texts. Platt looks at the subject of piracy from the time of ancient Greece to the 19th century in double-page topic treatments. Readers are introduced to privateers, buccaneers, and corsairs, and told how they differ. Illustrations of various types of pirate ships, and the merchant vessels that were most often their targets, are particularly effective. Unfortunately, maps are few and far between and those included are too small and poorly labeled to be of much use. Building contains all of the virtues of other ``Eyewitness'' books, but is hampered by trying to cover too much territory. The history of building techniques, materials, and philosophy from earth-and-thatch houses to cathedrals and skyscrapers is crammed into the 64-page format. Some of the technical terms introduced, e.g., ``plinth,'' are not adequately explained, and there is no glossary. Despite their drawbacks, both books are suitable additions to libraries.‘David N. Pauli, Missoula Public Library, MT (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Horn Book Review

The subject of pirates receives the typical high-quality treatment of this series. The brief, lucid historical survey is accompanied by a vast array of well-photographed artifacts that provide fascinating detail and help bring the topic to life. Ind. From HORN BOOK 1995, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.