• Black Flags, Blue Waters

  • The Epic History of America's Most Notorious Pirates
  • By: Eric Jay Dolin
  • Narrated by: Paul Brion
  • Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (1,187 ratings)

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Black Flags, Blue Waters  By  cover art

Black Flags, Blue Waters

By: Eric Jay Dolin
Narrated by: Paul Brion
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Publisher's summary

Set against the backdrop of the Age of Exploration, Black Flags, Blue Waters reveals the dramatic and surprising history of American piracy's "Golden Age" - spanning the late 1600s through the early 1700s - when lawless pirates plied the coastal waters of North America and beyond. Best-selling author Eric Jay Dolin illustrates how American colonists at first supported these outrageous pirates in an early display of solidarity against the Crown, and then violently opposed them.

Through engrossing episodes of roguish glamour and extreme brutality, Dolin depicts the star pirates of this period, among them towering Blackbeard, ill-fated Captain Kidd, and sadistic Edward Low, who delighted in torturing his prey. Also brilliantly detailed are the pirates' manifold enemies, including colonial governor John Winthrop and evangelist Cotton Mather.

Upending popular misconceptions and cartoonish stereotypes, Dolin provides this wholly original account of the seafaring outlaws whose raids reflect the precarious nature of American colonial life.

©2018 Eric Jay Dolin (P)2018 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

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What listeners say about Black Flags, Blue Waters

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  • WR
  • 07-28-22

More than the average pirate book.

A deeper than normal look at the interactions between pirates and the colonial governments and their citizens.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

solid story for fans of the tipic

interesting story for historical pirate fans, but less than stellar reading. Would have preferred more focused detail than the broader scope presented.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Fascinating

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the Golden Age of piracy. This was great.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

good read

Seems like a very good take on all things pirates. mundane at times, yet it crosses several myths, truths, legends and the general life of a pirate.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Imagine being in a high school lecture

Great material but monotone delivery. Awesome history and facts I learned alot.

I did expect a pop quiz at the end.

Thank you

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Narrator could have been better

The narrator reads this as if it were a set of instructions. Leaves your imagination at the mercy of a boring voice. The speech cadence is monotonous.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Ask what your looking for.

I was hoping for a Pirate adventure book. This isn’t it. Very well spoken narrator, book is in good order, just not what I was looking for. I did not investigate first so I’m to blame. I did learn some things though so

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great Story but...

I truly enjoyed the stories of the history of pirates in and around North America. However, the narrator puts you to sleep. There is no enthusiam in his reading. Very monotone and makes it difficult to remain engaged in the story.

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  • T
  • 06-01-23

And snooze…in a good way.

Narrator does a great job. I was out of credits but wanted to listen to something history true-ish and oddly interesting but also ok with falling asleep to. Nailed it. Perfect listen.

I actually ended up listening to the few chapters just doing laundry or whatever. I wanted to know how it ended. Very interesting. 5 stars. No regrets.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Interesting history but will put you to sleep

Mono tone- would have finished this much faster if I could pay attention. Unfortunate since the content about how the US colonies prospered due to the pirates is fascinating.

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