Black Flags, Blue Waters: The Epic History of America's Most Notorious Pirates

As one who greatly enjoyed (and learned from) Eric Jay Dolin’s previous books on whaling (Leviathan), the American fur trade (Fur, Fortune, and Empire), lighthouses (Brilliant Beacons), and (especially) the China trade (When America First Met China), I have been looking forward to his new book on American piracy. Black Flags does not disappoint. Like many, my knowledge of pirates was based primarily on movies (Disney, Peter Pan, etc.) and works of fiction (Treasure Island, etc.). I knew very little about the “real story” of piracy and its role in Colonial American history. Black Flags provides a fascinating introduction to the growth and decline of the “piracy industry,” with a focus on its (often colorful) participants. The reader will learn about the not-so-glamorous, often violent, realities of the lives of those who were involved in this trade off the coast of America during the seventeenth and early eighteenth century. Dolin is a great story teller, with an ability to blend tales of individual pirates with an explanation of the reasons for the growth of piracy during the colonial era. He explains how and why piracy became a viable (though not always profitable) way of life for many, and the evolving attitudes about the role of pirates on American life. As a New England resident, I was surprised to learn about the amount of pirate activity in this region during the Colonial period, and the often symbiotic relationship between pirates, government officials, and the citizens of the American colonies. Black Flags is first rate scholarship, and Dolin is to be commended for his impressive research, given the lack of first-hand accounts of those involved in pirate activities. Unlike studies of whaling or naval history, pirates rarely (if ever) recorded their activities in logbooks or journals. The pirate industry certainly produced no Melville, no Richard Henry Dana, to provide an “inside look” at the daily life aboard pirate ships. Yet, the author has been able to put together a fascinating description of the lives of pirates – and the reasons for their involvement in the trade. Black Flags is richly illustrated throughout with copies of old prints and engravings of the people, places, and ships described in the text, along with numerous maps. In summary, Dolan’s book is a fascinating, entertaining look into the realities of a topic many know of – but typically know little about. Highly recommended!

Really fun read. I enjoyed it. Some chapter were kinda boring but I really liked all the stories and tales! Overall great book

Have as a gift and book is informative and good

I bought this book to complement my growing collection of Golden Age Piracy related readings and a hope to gain some more knowledge on the subject or if nothing else another take on the subject. I enjoyed Dolin's work on this and appreciated that given his background I felt I could trust what I read to be credible and backed by solid research and objective views. Dolin does an incredible job covering the Golden Age of Piracy in a thoughtful manner aimed at the the pleasure of the reader in it's design and composition. Most of the popular and well known pirates are covered and their basic backgrounds and even some intimate details not covered in other writings. This is a good read for someone new to the subject or even someone more advanced as Dolin offers similar information you may have received but allows you to view it from a different angle given his use of providing why and how he may have came to a conclusion on a detail. It isn't incredibly in depth for any given topic but it's a solid overall coverage of the topic and one I would recommend and will recommend for other enthusiast's.

Fun real pirate history

Nothing is wrong with the writing. But i wanted a new book. I got an old used Library book with stickers and faded pages. Be sure you check what you are buying. I can't give someone an old used book for their birthday.

Now I know lots of factoids about pirates to dazzle my friends. The book is thorough and well researched. You need to be in the mood to learn a lot about individuals especially during the golden age of piracy. Being from NC and having vacationed at Bath and the Outer Banks I am well acquainted with Blackbeard and "The graveyard of the Atlantic". I would have given it 5 stars but I reserve that for fine literature. Maybe it is not fair to "punish" this book because of the genre but it is my review and the pirate-mentality has taken hold of me. As a bonus I have the song "For I am a Pirate King . . . it is, it is a glorious thing to be a pirate king . . . . . . ." stuck in my head.

This was a great read! No way could I have been a pirate! I enjoyed reading about the life of a pirate. I have gone to several pirate museums, and Black Flags Blue waters, really helped to explain information I saw, and really helped my understanding on a recent pirate museum. I even surprised my husband and friends with my new knowledge- Thank you Eric Jay Dolin for expanding my knowledge! Realty interesting read. I enjoyed how the pirate movies were mentioned in this book. Great read before (or after) visiting the Caribbean and East Coast.

Very good read, took it on Hoilday and it was hard to put down as it tell you about a history you probably didn't realise about pirates over the centuries.

As someone who devours nonfiction history—especially maritime adventures and tales of the Golden Age of Piracy—I came into Black Flags, Blue Waters with high hopes. With a subtitle like "The Epic History of America’s Most Notorious Pirates," I expected gripping tales of daring raids, buried treasure, and the gritty reality behind the myths. While this book delivers impressive historical detail and shatters some long-standing pirate lore, it doesn’t always maintain the momentum I was hoping for. That said, if you’re a reader who values depth, accuracy, and academic polish, this Kindle edition is a worthy addition to your digital shelf. But those looking for a fast-paced, cinematic read may find the tone more textbook than thriller. What This Book Does Well There’s no doubt that author Eric Jay Dolin did his homework. The book is deeply researched, offering fascinating background on how piracy intertwined with colonial politics, trade routes, and even early American economics. It goes far beyond the Hollywood tropes of parrots, peg legs, and plunder. Highlights include: Detailed accounts of Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, Samuel Bellamy, and lesser-known figures, presented in historical context rather than folklore. Insight into the relationship between pirates and early American port cities like Boston and Charleston—where pirates were alternately celebrated, tolerated, or hanged. A well-explained timeline of shifting attitudes toward piracy from romantic adventuring to criminal enterprise. The Kindle version is well-formatted, with easy-to-use chapter navigation, clear footnotes, and integrated features like word look-up and cross-referencing. It’s ideal for readers who like to highlight and research as they go. Why I’m Giving It 3 Stars: Excellent History, But Dry at Times While the material is rich, the storytelling style is occasionally dry and academic, which may disappoint readers drawn in by the “epic history” promise. At times, the narrative gets bogged down in tangents or dense exposition that could have been more engagingly told. Also, while the book covers many pirates, the transitions between stories and themes can feel abrupt. Some characters are introduced briefly, then dropped for long stretches, making it hard to stay emotionally invested in their fates. A Book for History Buffs More Than Casual Readers This is not a romanticised, action-packed pirate saga—it’s a serious historical treatment, and it succeeds on that level. If you’re curious about the real-world conditions that gave rise to piracy—and how pirates influenced early American politics and commerce—you’ll find a treasure trove here. However, if you’re looking for narrative nonfiction that reads like a novel (think Nathaniel Philbrick or Erik Larson), you might find yourself wishing for more drama and less data. Final Thoughts: Black Flags, Blue Waters is a well-crafted historical deep dive into the realities of American piracy. It’s educational, nuanced, and grounded in primary sources. But its scholarly tone may not appeal to everyone—especially readers seeking a swashbuckling escape rather than a history seminar. Recommended for history enthusiasts who enjoy substance over spectacle, and who don’t mind slowing down to appreciate the fine details of maritime life and law.

Great book on pirates. The addition of Red Sea Pirates plundering the Indian Ocean from Madagascar to the Arabian Sea is a nice addition to the regular Pirate tales. Also interesting is the general democratic decision making that required majority votes on each decision as to where to go and which nationality of ships to target. The typical review of the Pirates code including how the booty was divied up among all crew is a great understanding of ships operations. Great Summer read.

The book arrived in time and in good condition, but it wasn’t delivered directly… the delivery person just dropped it over a gap on the fence to the garden.

Quien diría... los piratas el gran invento de los ingleses. Me gusta este libro. Así como con los Vikingos, este tema por años busque algún libro que ahondará en el tema. Lo recomiendo ampliamente