Empire of Blue Water

Captain Morgan's Great Pirate Army, the Epic Battle for the Americas, and the Catastrophe that Ended the Outlaws' Bloody Reign

By: Stephan Talty

Narrated by: John H. Mayer

Length: 13 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

He challenged the greatest empire on earth with a ragtag bunch of renegades - and brought it to its knees. Empire of Blue Water is the real story of the pirates of the Caribbean.

Henry Morgan, a 20-year-old Welshman, crossed the Atlantic in 1655, hell-bent on making his fortune. Over the next three decades, his exploits in the Caribbean in the service of the English became legendary. His daring attacks on the mighty Spanish Empire on land and at sea determined the fates of kings and queens, and his victories helped shape the destiny of the New World.

Morgan gathered disaffected European sailors and soldiers, hard-bitten adventurers, runaway slaves, and vicious cutthroats, and turned them into the most feared army in the Western Hemisphere. Sailing out from the English stronghold of Port Royal, Jamaica, “the wickedest city in the New World,” Morgan and his men terrorized Spanish merchant ships and devastated the cities where great riches in silver, gold, and gems lay waiting. His last raid, a daring assault on the fabled city of Panama, helped break Spain’s hold on the Americas forever. Awash with bloody battles, political intrigues, natural disaster, and a cast of characters more compelling, bizarre, and memorable than any found in a Hollywood including the notorious pirate L’Ollonais, the soul-tortured King Philip IV of Spain, and Thomas Modyford, the crafty English governor of Jamaica - Empire of Blue Water brilliantly re-creates the passions and the violence of the age of exploration and empire.

©2007 Stephan Talty (P)2007 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"Before he became rum, Cap'n Morgan humbled the Spanish Empire....Talty's well-researched account weaves together myriad political and financial interests in the New World." (Booklist)

"Talty strips away the legend to recreate a pivotal era in this accessible portrait of the pirates of the Caribbean." (Publishers Weekly)

“Talty’s vigorous history of seventeenth-century pirates of the Caribbean will sate even fickle Jack Sparrow fans....A pleasure to read from bow to stern.” (Entertainment Weekly)

Informative and Fun

As a closet pirate enthusiast who really didn’t know much more beyond the name recognition of Capt Morgan (his rum) and the Pirates of the Caribbean movie / rides - I was intrigued by this book. It was an excellent primer on all the realities of the true pirates of the Caribbean and of Captain Morgan. The storytelling was excellent, the performance was spot on, and the information was presented at a level that kept me entertained and informed. Good stuff all around.

Now I can act like a know it all dad next time we’re at Disney and torture my kids!

Fun Adventure!

This is such a good listen. Pirates, pieces of 8, Spain, captain Morgan, and port royal. I have such a better understanding of that world because of this book. thank you! highly recommend

A Great Historical Adventure

The facts that are the foundation of the great Caribbean pirate era come to life in this well researched and dramatically performed adventure. It's a fascinating dive into the brutality and bravery that motivated an honorable Welshman to become the most feared and respected pirate of the late 17th century. Tally also delivers insight about culture, customs, weapon technology, global commerce, royalty and the geology of earthquakes among other interesting topics. This is an honest telling, without glorification, of one of the most fascinating icons of human history - swashbuckling pirates of the Caribbean.

As Riveting as any Pirate Movie

Empire of Blue Water by Stephan Talty is a thrilling and captivating book that tells the story of Henry Morgan, the most notorious pirate of the Caribbean. The author skillfully combines historical facts with vivid descriptions and engaging characters, creating a narrative that is both informative and entertaining. The narration by John H Mayer is superb, adding life and emotion to the words. He captures the personalities and moods of the different historical figures in play, making them real and relatable. Hollywood depictions of pirates truly make them seem larger than life, but Empire of Blue Water paints Henry Morgan for the larger-than-life pirate he was. I highly recommend this book and this audiobook to anyone who loves history, adventure and pirates.

Excellent listen

Great book. I learned not only a lot about Henry Morgan, but also about privateer and pirate origins. If you like European history, this is also a great book and it connects new work and old world issues of the time impressively.

Best presentation of the Pirate Era I haveRead

Most complete information: political, economic and strategical aspects in play during the era. Focus is on Capt. Morgan, but the interplay of the above aspects makes the book an essential read.

Lots of history

Very informative, but a little slow at times. Perhaps my expectations were to high. Thanks

Interesting History

Well presented history of the facts that underlie the folk tales about the Pirates of the Caribbean. Also a good look at the Spanish American history that predates the English dominance. It is worth a listen for history lovers.

Awesome

Excellent book enjoyed it lots of action, great story telling , I would read it again thanks

super interesting!

lots of historical information which I found interesting and made me get more info pertaining to the history time line. very informative!