Expedition Whydah: The Story of the World's First Excavation of a Pirate Treasure Ship and the Man Who Found Her

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Summary: A Story of Would-Be Adventure
Review: This book bases itself on the premise of Pirates- blood thirsty ones with peg-legs, eye patches and parots on thier shoulders. Well, not exactly. Turns out that piracy wasn't exactly the stuff from the movies, and this book does a great job clearing up some of those myths and describing what life was like on the high seas. It also has a fantastic account of the final hours before the Whydah ran aground off Cape Cod, and the morning after as villagers searched the bodies washed ashore for valuables. The history here is great, but ironically enough, the author himself seems to be the point of controversy here. How you percieve Barry Clifford has everything to do with how much you will like this book. In stark contrast to the gripping accounts of pirates, shipwrecks and trials for treason, we meet the author and find out first hand how boring the legal stuff can be regarding shipwrecks and searching for them. The controversy lies in the rhelm of archeology. The question is, who is Barry Clifford, an average guy, to decide that he can go in search of a potentially important scientific discovery for his own profit? Of course, this is a common question when it comes to treasure hunters. To his credit, Clifford did find the ship which no one else had been able to find, and did create a public museum for the display of Whydah artifacts. At what cost? Years of finding nothing, blowing millions of dollars invested in his search and pleading for more, and eventually his marriage. I get the impression from the book that Clifford is a man consumed with finding his burried treasure. I also feel that this book is another attempt to cash in on his findings. "Expedition Whydah" is a good read, but be warned that it is more the story of an obsessed treasure hunter than a scientist looking for clues to the ways of piracy.

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Summary: History, fantasy, and action!
Review: This book is a must for any fan of pirate lore!Barry Clifford and Paul Perry did a great jobof making you feel like you were on the sandyshores of the cape, looking out at the poundingwaves and staring at this long gone ship through the myst. A great tale of Barry Clifford's devotion of life and soul to finding the wreck of the Whydah. The book covers everything from thehaunting legends and myths of past pirates, to Barry's dealings with the archealogical boards to obtain permission to excavate the site in which he believed to cover the ship. A great story of oneman's determination against all odds to findin himself the limits of how far one will go to achieve that which is considered unattainable. Enough said, the book is totally enjoyable andnever lets up!

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Summary: "A meld of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Perfect Storm
Review: This line commenting on Expedition Whydah is the author's comments about the book from an interview conducted with pirate hunter Barry Clifford.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: What a read!!!!!!!! This book will have you perusing information on the Best metal detectors available. This chronicle of a dream and perseverance will infect you in a way you have to read to discover. Thank you Mr. Clifford for your desire to realize your dream whilst maintaining the sanctity of this find. Can't wait for the National Geographic Documentary. WHAT A CLASS ACT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!