Rating: 
Summary: Uninspiring Collection of Pirate Tidbits
Review: For me, this book never quite jelled.The author does provide interesting tidbits regarding the history of pirating and pirates during the period of roughly 1600 to the mid-1700's. All of the popularly known pirates, privateers and buccaneers (they are not one and the same) are mentioned: Kidd, Blackbeard, English, Drake, etc. Life on a typical pirate ship is explored as well as some of the more famous pirate attacks, their treatment of captives and the efforts to suppress their activities. The author does go outside the bounds of pure history by discussing how pirates have been depicted in literature and film. However, the presentation is somewhat disjointed and the author digresses often during this book. The editing could also have been sharper; a few times the author reintroduces topics or persons previously covered as if they are being mentioned for the first time. As a consequence, it does not read like a story or even a particularly well organized study. It is rather more a survey that does inform but leaves the reader feeling that the gripping tale of piracy remains to be told in a more well written manner.
Rating: 
Summary: Definitely worth your time and money!
Review: This book gives a good description of what pirate life was really like. It presents the facts in a very pleasant manner!
Rating:
Summary: This Book will Shiver Your Timbers!
Review: If any period of history needs some major debunking, it's the life of pirates and piracy. This book does the job and more. The romance and swashbuckling portrayed in the comic book fashion of movies and television gets the wind taken out of its sails by Cordingly. He sets the record straight with smooth, exciting, and descriptive writing. You are there among all the cruelty, horror, and greed as well as the splendor of sudden wealth, freedom and democracy of life aboard a pirate ship. Enchanted by some pages, I could feel the salt spray and the wind to my back, and imagine myself on board ship pulling into some exotic and strange new port. A few more pages on, and I could feel my teeth loosening from scurvy, and the sudden need to take a hot shower. Read this book in a comfortable easy chair, with your favorite hot or cold drink at hand and the room a perfect temperature for the season. And appreciate how lucky you really are!
Rating: 
Summary: A history book for everyone....
Review: "Under the Black Flag" fits neatly into a large gap in "pirate literature" between the books intended for the younger readers and those that are filled with facts, scholarly disertations, and are, in general, dry as dust. David Cordingly makes his book informative, entertaining and best of all...easily readable. He attempts to explain the romance we attach to these men (and women) and does that as well as anyone I have read, using as examples those two famous fictional pirates, Long John Silver and Captain Hook and them comparing them to the reality of what pirates were really like. The myths of buried treasure are dealt with and by listing some actual "pirate plunder" (in one case consisting of a load of cod and some rope)demonstates that, in most cases, there was little to BE buried. Yes there were large treaures taken but for the most part very very rare,and the list of pirates executed at the end of the book shows graphically what their usual fate was....Altogether one of the best, if not the best, introduction to those times available.
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Summary: Reads like an adventure tale
Review: You'll find yourself involved in wonderful stories rather than drudging through dry historical rhetoric. What a great read!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent wide-range coverage
Review: This book is a great one! Covers many areas of Pirates, from accounts of several women pirates (and thought there were only two!) to dispelling common myths about the lot. Interesting read and fabulous reference. Turned my mild interest in pirates into an obsession and lucrative pasttime. (I am writing a biographical screenplay currently.) Includes references to other great books on the topic. Great for those just looking for a fun read, or for those interested in learning more and expanding their knowledge. A must for anyone who likes this genre!
Rating:
Summary: Jammed with Information
Review: This book is so jammed with information that I had to reread some sections to keep all the names straight. The author does not have a very entertaining style, but his depth of knowledge makes up for any shortcomings. If you are serious pirate fan, then this book is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Informative, captivating, and totally enjoyable!
Review: David Cordingly did a splendid job of painting a true picture of a pirate's life. David covers the full spectrum from myths and legends, to detailed accounts of the daily lives of these swashbucklers. His knowledge of the cargo and the crew of the Whydah were written with dead on accuracy. Great book for any beginner as well as an avid reader of pirate history.
Rating:
Summary: A "can't miss" book...
Review: What a fantastic way to learn about Pirates! The writer is able to give the reader a clear picture of life on a ship during the 17th and 18th century. I'm still looking for a book on this subject that's as good!
Rating:
Summary: Lightweight history but very enjoyable!
Review: This is a well researched & factual account of the lives & times of pirates. The historical facts throughout, are nicely compared to the popular illusions we all draw when considering pirates in particular, or in general. A romantic life, this was not! Extremely few lived to enjoy the product of their nefarious activities on the high seas. In fact very few avoided coming to a sticky end on the gibbet, or on the deck of their ship. It's clear that the crime of piracy in the late 17th. early 18th. century, rarely paid. The book abounds with details of the principle characters that are both interesting & surprising. Perhaps the difference between two of the most well remembered & recognised pirates, Blackbeard & Captain Kidd, is a good example of the contrasts that are so neatly drawn in this book. Whilst Teach (Blackbeard) went about his business in true pirate fashion; cruelly, ruthlessly, fighting to the death & with no decency or honour. Captain Kidd, was proven guilty of only one murder (he killed one of his own crew in a fit of temper, by hitting him over the head with a heavy wooden bucket) & maintained until his final moments that his conviction for piracy was just a pure misunderstanding. This book is lightweight enough for anyone to enjoy & detailed enough for those wishing to study the subject in some depth.
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