Under the Black Flag

Ever wonder if the swashbuckling pirates of Hollywood legend were real? Get ready to discover the truth. This summary shatters the myths to reveal what life was actually like for the fearsome buccaneers who ruled the seas. You'll go beyond the eye-patches and parrots to learn the real-life stories of figures like Blackbeard and Captain Kidd. Uncover the brutal realities of their democratic crews, the surprising reasons men turned to piracy, and the harsh codes they lived and died by. Find out what treasure they truly sought and why their golden age was so short-lived.

David Cordingly is a leading maritime historian and former Head of Exhibitions at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London, where he curated the blockbuster "Pirates" exhibition. His unique access to the museum's vast archives of original documents, charts, and artifacts allowed him to separate the romantic myths from the harsh truths of pirate life. This deep dive into primary sources provided the foundation for his groundbreaking work, offering an unparalleled and authentic glimpse into the golden age of piracy.