Daily Life of Pirates

Gr 7 Up—In detailed chapters covering geographical and cultural origins, historical milestones, food, drink, torture, lairs, plunder, weaponry, religion, and flags, Marley exposes the brutal life of pirates. The density of the text precludes it from appealing to browsers, but those truly fascinated with piracy will seek out the book as often as students looking for report material, and all will be satisfied with what they find. The hefty main text is supplemented by a section of primary-source documents and a substantial glossary, bibliography, and index. This impressive reference work delves deeply into a group often given a tongue-in-cheek treatment that paints its members as caricatures. The pirates in Marley's work, however, are the real deal, and he lets them speak for themselves.—Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR