Blackbeard, Jose Gaspar, Jean Lafitte--the names conjure up a romantic,
swashbuckling figure with a black patch over one eye, a cutlass in his
teeth, and a brace of pistols tucked into his waistband. Actors such as
Errol Flynn did much to create that devil-may-care attitude glamorized
on the silver screen, but in fact, real pirates were not so admirable;
for the most part they were cruel, greedy, dastardly brigands, many of
whom were slave traders or smugglers in addition to being pirates.
Still, we continue to be fascinated by their lives and exploits, perhaps
because they led such adventurous lives full of bravery, recklessness
and daring.
It is certainly more enjoyable-- and safer--to read about pirates than
to encounter one. This book chronicles the lives and times of 20 notable
Florida pirates, from the English privateers of the 1500s to present-day
drug smugglers and "yachtjackers. Pirates have always found easy prey in
the seas around Florida; not only did the treasure-laden ships on their
way back to Europe have to sail close to Florida's shores to catch the
currents east, but the treacherous Florida Reef foundered many a ship,
making easy pickings.
Most of what we know about pirates comes from Navy records, newspaper
accounts, or eyewitness statements from those whom the pirates spared.
This book distills the most interesting facts from many sources into a
book that will be enjoyed by anyone interested in a different
perspective on Florida's history.
