I just finished reading a great book by Stephan Talty, so I thought (since I've been meaning to write book reviews every so often and have yet to do
one) I'd write some thoughts on it, share my opinion and maybe encourage someone else to read it. Especially with the popularity of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies over the past few years, this book should pique some curiosity.
The book's tagline states what it's about:
Captain Morgan's Great Pirate Army, the Epic Battle for the Americas, and the Catastrophe That Ended the Outlaws' Bloody Reign
It's the true story of the pirates of the Caribbean, and even though I haven't seen one of the movies, I've always been interested in pirate lore and this book does not disappoint. When I bought it, I wanted to be sure this was a historical work, not merely another romanticized novel about pirates and pillaging and burning. I was greatly pleased to find out it is purely historical - but told with the flair of a novelist. The writing style is flowing and captivating, with enough information to make you cringe as the images come to life through his words, but not so graphic that it is unsuitable for older children who might like to know the history of the Brethren of the Coast, and its most famous leader.
Mr. Talty begins his tale by taking you to modern-day Jamaica, away from the tourist spots and directly to the remains of Port Royal, once considered the "Sodom" of the mid-17th century. He intrigues you with his description of the streets that once were busy thoroughfares, now completely underwater; the possibility that Spanish treasure could be lurking just under the silt, for those lucky enough to find it; and the hint of a disaster that in the Brethren's later years, befell that wicked and rich city, and brought it to destruction.
As he tells of young Morgan and how he worked his ranks up to Capt. and then Admiral, he also includes the history of the Hapsburg family of Spain, and weaves information about the war between England and Spain expertly with the happenings half a world away in the waters of Jamaica, Hispaniola, and South America. He creates a character, Roderick, as sort of an amalgum of pirate types, and uses him to illustrate what life was like for the typical sailor/soldier-turned-privateer. Life was raucous and rough for these men; filled with bursts of bloodthirsty violence, torture (common for just about everyone in those days), and raiding; only to head back to Port Royal with riches and glory, and spend their days wiling it away on women of ill repute and various types of alcohol - "Kill Devil" made with molasses, said to be so potent it could do away with Lucifer himself; rumpunchen; fine wines; whatever money could buy. Sooner or later their money would be used up, and they would be ready to go on another raid.
It is incredible some of the feats that Morgan and his men were able to pull off; his brilliance, combined with their savagery and the Spanish time after time underestimating the ability of the Brethren to strategize and adapt to different situations (and being rigidly unable to adapt, themselves), is really what spelled success for the greatly outnumbered privateers. Time after time, the Brethren outsmarted and outfought the Spanish, and conquered city after city, until Morgan's reputation became an almost mystical thing.
His life took many twists and turns, especially throughout his days as Admiral, while Spain and England were trying to negotiate peace. But in the end, he retired a wealthy plantation owner on the island of Jamaica. Unfortunately, his rough life had affected his health, and he became extremely ill and died at a relatively young age. He left everything to his wife, whom he loved dearly, and after her death, to his nephew - as he did not have any heirs of his own.
It was not long after his death, that the city that he had helped to build, was lost... in an event so catastrophic, that I wonder I hadn't known about it before now. And I leave it to you to find out, when you read the book. A very excellent book it is, and I highly recommend it.
