Treasure Islands: The Fascinating World of Pirates, Buried Treasure, and Fortune Hunters

Rating:
Summary: For dreamers like me
Review: I was once telling my Dad, a sea captain, how much I wanted to become a treasure hunter. The story of Mel Fisher was so compelling to me, all I needed, I told my dad, was a few million dollars to get started and some good maps.

He laughed and teased me, then, upon a return trip from Florida, he brought me this book, and old "treasure" map and some fake "tourist" treasure all to get me started.

I was completely fascinated by the accounts in this book. It is a couple of hundred pages long and each of the eleven chapters covers a different treasure. The book covers the history behind the treasure as well as accounts of people trying to find the various hoards hidden, it seems, forever. Or perhaps the treasure was never left behind in the first place, but the idea that "some" of it may still be there is enough to make any treasure hunter feel a bit driven to want to go and see for themselves.

This book is history and story, it is not in any way a guide to go looking for treasure nor do the authors give encouragement to the reader that if they are lucky and resourceful they might make history themselves. But for anyone interested in the history of some great pirate stories and modern accounts of treasure hunting, or for dreamers like myself, I recommend this book. It is fun and well written.

Rating:
Summary: Pieces of Eight
Review: This is not a guide book for treasure hunters. What it is is an entertaining read. It details several stories of buried treasure from Cocos Island to Mahe in the Seychelles. Providing a good deal of background information on the area and characters involved in each story. Tantalizing details are presented, that almost make you believe that the stories might be true.

The reality is pirates didn't bury treasure, they spent it, some few invested it and retired wealthy, but the vast majority squandered their riches on booze and women. Never-the-less, the lure of money for nothing, just waiting to be dug up, will always have some pulling out a shovel and pick to go hunting. And let's face it, we all dream about it. P-)