Captain Kidd and the War Against the Pirates

Rating:
Summary: Guilty Until Proven Innocent
Review: A scholarly treatment of the William Kidd case and times. The author switches back and forth between presenting biographical information about Captain Kidd and an evolution of the declining use of privateers and pirates as tools of foreign policy. The writing is smooth and well thought out, providing an entertaining read.

I found the information on the attitudes toward pirates during the late 17th and early 18th centuries interesting and chock full of little know tidbits. The biography of William Kidd was eventful and conforms with what I have read in other sources. The author takes the story from early accounts to Kidd's first appearance in the Caribbean to the arrival in New York and on through the fateful trip that sealed his fate. Ritchie uses the general information on the attitude toward pirates to reinforce the conclusion that Kidd was doomed from the moment he surrendered in New York, and to provide some insight into why Kidd did surrender.

My one complaint revolves around the author's conclusion that Kidd was actually guilty of piracy and should have been convicted. It is not that the author reaches that conclusion, after all the evidence can point to that conclusion, however, I had the feeling from the first page that the author's intent was to prove Kidd guilty. Casting off the guise of impartial historian that early in the book has to raise the question - has the author's attitude spilled over into the data presented? That said, it is important to read multiple views to get a better understanding of the history, and I did find this book to be both entertaining and informative.

For an alternate view of the William Kidd story try The Pirate Hunter by Richard Zacks. P-)

Rating:
Summary: Riveting till the end
Review: This book makes you hostage from start to finish Was the captain out on the seas in quest for something other than treasure You Decide Great read

Rating:
Summary: Was William K. a Scapegoat?!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: This is a serious biography for all history buffs. The author has expertly woven world history, specifically British history, and the Golden Age of Piracy's pirates (Blackbeard, Bartholomew Roberts, Anne Bonny, etc.)into the background of William Kidd's life. William Kidd began his illustrious career as an honest trader and ended with the financing of his ship by unscrupulous English businessmen. He began his final journey to the Indian Ocean with one mishap after another and ended it by being arrested for piracy. Did he deliberately comit acts of piracy? Or was he a scapeboat for a business deal gone bad? This is an excellent well-researched and well-written book. I have read many nonfiction historical books, and this is one of the best. It has detailed footnotes and index. I recommend any book about pirates by David Cordingsly and Frank Sherry. My son also read a children's novel that is well-researched, has pirate photos, and nonfiction information. The author is K.J. McWilliams, and the book is The Diary of a Slave Girl, Ruby Jo.