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Audiobook editionPaperback · 6 × 9 in · printing soonHardcover · 6 × 9 in · printing soonAbout this book
Behind the pirate legend lie captured ships, shipboard rules, and lives lived within reach of the gallows.
In A General History of the Pyrates, Charles Johnson gathers the lives of sea robbers into a vivid gallery. Henry Avery, Edward Teach—better known as Blackbeard—and Bartholomew Roberts stand among its central figures. Ships are taken, crews gather in island hideouts, and the threat of trial and hanging shadows their daring exploits.
The accounts also follow Mary Read and Anne Bonny, explore Nassau as a pirate base, and tell Captain Misson's story of Libertalia. Johnson draws on court records and newspaper reports, but adds scenes and speeches without documentary support. Read these lives for their pull as stories, while watching the uneasy boundary between recorded history and pirate legend.
What you’ll discover
- Blackbeard's face of terror Meet Edward Teach through one of Johnson's most vivid portraits of pirate life.
- Rules aboard pirate ships Explore Bartholomew Roberts's pirate articles and the place of rules among sea robbers.
- Women among the crews Follow Johnson's accounts of Mary Read and Anne Bonny, women who fight at sea.
- An island gathering place Enter Nassau, where pirate crews sell goods, repair ships, and plan their next raids.
- The dream of Libertalia Discover Captain Misson's tale and the strange possibility of a pirate nation.
Who will love it
Readers who love true sea adventure, famous outlaws, courtroom drama and odd corners of history will enjoy this book, from Blackbeard and Anne Bonny to pirate rules and trials.
What’s inside
The key ideas, in the 15-minute summary
- A record with an uncertain author
- Peace leaves sailors without work
- Avery becomes the subject of legends
- Blackbeard makes fear a weapon
- A pardon divides the pirate crews
- Pirate freedom comes with written rules
- Women fight aboard Rackam's ship
- Settlements blur freedom and fear
- Separate the record from the color
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A General History of the Pyrates
by Charles Johnson · 1724
Pirate captains vote, drink and duel as their crews live by laws of their own.
Medium level5–10 hours to read20 languages
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In short
Picture a young Julius Caesar held by pirates for thirty-eight days. He tells his captors to keep quiet while he sleeps and promises to hang them all.
A General History of the Pyrates at a glance
- Reading time
- About 8 h 35 min6 h 45 min fast, 10 h 10 min slow
- Length
- 122,000 words
- Library level
- Medium longer sentences, everyday words
- First published
- 1724by Charles Johnson
Reading time at 238 words a minute (fast 300, slow 200). How long the classics take to read · Updated
From the 15-minute summary · Key idea 1
Neglected pirates can grow into a kingdom
The author opens with a warning: pirates ignored in their first years grow into a power that can threaten a state.
His first case is Rome. Pirates from Cilicia begin with a few ships and grow rich on small prizes. They capture the young Julius Caesar and set his ransom at twenty talents. He laughs and offers fifty.
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Which edition is right for me
- 15-minute summary
- The key ideas of the whole book in about 14 minutes. A good first look, or a refresher.
Details
- First published
- 1724
- Language
- English
- Level
- Medium level
Cite this edition
Johnson, Charles. A General History of the Pyrates. Library of Alexandria, 2026, libraryofalexandria.com/products/a-general-history-of-the-pyrates.
Johnson, C. (2026). A general history of the pyrates. Library of Alexandria. https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/a-general-history-of-the-pyrates (Original work published 1724)
Johnson, Charles. A General History of the Pyrates. Library of Alexandria, 2026. https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/a-general-history-of-the-pyrates.
@book{johnson2026general,
author = {Johnson, Charles},
title = {A General History of the Pyrates},
publisher = {Library of Alexandria},
year = {2026},
url = {https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/a-general-history-of-the-pyrates},
note = {First published 1724}
}
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What is A General History of the Pyrates about?
It tells the lives of notorious pirate captains of the early 1700s, including Avery, Blackbeard, Bonnet, Roberts, and Low, plus Mary Read and Anne Bonny. It also includes trials, letters, a royal pardon, and a short summary of piracy law.
Who was Blackbeard in this book?
Blackbeard is Edward Teach, a captain who sails the Queen Anne's Revenge and terrifies the Carolina coast. The author describes his black beard twisted with ribbons, his pistols, and the lit matches under his hat.
Is A General History of the Pyrates a true story?
It was published in 1724, and its author claims the facts come from witnesses and includes letters, proclamations, and trial lists. Later readers treat it as a rich early source for pirate history, while remembering that some tales are told with a storyteller's flair.
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