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A. N.

A tedious slog

Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2018

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The Pirate Hunter is exhaustively researched and chock full of details about the trials and tribulations of Captain William Kidd. Unfortunately, I found Zacks' writing to be both too tedious as well as too loose at the same time. He fills nearly every page with every minute detail (and frequently about mostly mundane incidents) while all too often slipping into a writing style that is too colloquial for a book that otherwise tries to present itself as serious history. Don't get me wrong - it is serious attempt at history. It's just that it reads rather schizophrenic, like Zacks is doing his best impression of an academic historian but can't quite pull it off. It's the literary version of a film student's attempt at documentary, where everything is kept in the final cut because he can't bring himself to edit something that he spent time researching.

Overall, I found the book a bit of a slog. The Pirate Hunter runs just over 400 pages long, and could easily be edited down to 250 or so for a much better, more compelling, faster paced book. As it is, it certainly makes you vicariously feel what an ordeal sea travel in the late-17th century must have been.

kjsem78

I don't need to know every detail about the time period.

Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2017

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A book I read a couple of years ago about the life of Captain Morgan, Empire of Blue Water, turned me on to nonfiction books about the Golden Age of piracy. I have always been interested in that time period and the pirates who made it so colorful, but had always stuck to fiction. So when I saw the synopsis of this book I thought I would love it. Alas, halfway through I had to put it down. The copious research which went into this book cannot be questioned, and there are many exciting events, but I feel as if the author felt he needed to put EVERY bit of research he did into the book. 50% through the book I had read more mundane facts that detracted from Kidd's story than I could take. Vast parts of this book read like a dry textbook.

Another jarring aspect, which another reviewer mentioned, is the author's habit of going back and forth in time. A few short flashbacks can be expected, but entire chapters take place out of chronological order. This can work with some books, but here it's just disjointed and takes away from the rhythm of Kidd's story.

Kidd's story is a good one, but this book is just too bogged down in irrelevant historical facts to tell it well.

JeriMac

If you've ever wondered about life on the high-seas as a privateer or pirate, this is for you.

Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2020

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This book took me through the wringer and back many times in recounting the many pitfalls Captain Kid encountered in his life. Although there were bad decisions made, I couldn't help rooting for the Captain and his family.

It is an interesting period when overlaid with world history, as the author does so well, providing context for all that's happening throughout Captain Kids lifetime. It helped further my understanding of the world. I enjoyed the journey.

Justin

Good book

Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2018

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I enjoyed this book. I love history, and piracy is something I'm not too familiar about. What I couldn't get over was the (in)justice system of England in the late 17th, early 18th century. I would say -with little doubt- that there were many of people put to an early grave. Well, read this book and you'll see a new Empire trying to forge itself on to the world with all of it's glory and faults. Captain Kidd believed what he was doing was for 'King and country". It's unfortunate that he was used as a tool, only to be discarded when he becomes a political liability. Goverments will never be perfect. I'm personally thankful for that because it means we'll always have room to grow. To see the difference from then, and see what we've become now. That's truly amazing.

Amazon Customer

Historic

Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2020

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This is a good, detailed history of Captain Kidd. It quotes a lot of historic records, letters, & journals. It goes through every step of his last voyage and trial for piracy. It is, however, very sympathetic towards Captain Kidd. By the end, you will feel he was a man who was wronged. It's a good read.

Book Ninja

Interesting, but a slog in some areas

Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2017

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I have read some of this author's other books and liked them. I love sea stories and the true ones are better than the fictionalized ones. This is a maddening story of how governments use and abuse and the abused pay the price. It has many surprising details. The problem with this book is that it gets bogged down in the "sea journey" portions. I find them tedious to read. For a historian, it would probably be more compelling. That said, this is a captivating :) story. I think, however, the editing should have been a bit sharper.

M. Marino

Excellent Historical Story

Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2016

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I really enjoyed this book. I never knew the story of Capt. Kidd, I found it very interesting and learned not just Capt. Kidd's story but also about how people, upper class and lower class, lived and survived in these times. His depiction of New York CIty in the late 1600's, the prison system and the Pirate's/Seaman's way of life is way more interesting than I ever knew, we were quite a brutal society in those times.
A good read, Highly recommended

The Docent

Good

Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2015

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This book was released just in time for History Channel's documentary series PIRATE TREASURE OF THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR about underwater explorer Barry Clifford's discovery in Madagascar of five shipwrecks: privateer [NOT PIRATE!] Captain Kidd's Adventure Galley, pirate William "Billy-One-Hand" Condon's Fiery Dragon, pirate Dirk Shivers Mocha Frigate, and two other pirate vessels, New Soldado and the Great Mahamet. Barry Clifford himself spoke well of this book.

Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer

A good purchase, and a good read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 14, 2017

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The text gives a sense of the world of the pirate, the sights, smells, honour, dishonour, morality, cowardice and chaos. It's well structured and easy to read and romps through the challenges faced. It's balanced with the facts and details, plus a narrative, comment and interpretation. Facts alone can be worthless unless placed in context and this book provides the beginner with the scene setting explanations but is also strong enough on facts and pace to hold the attention of a reader who has more knowledge of pirate literature and texts.

Graham A

Outstanding

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 28, 2013

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I read a lot of biographies, but this stands tall for me. The writing is first class and the subject exciting, stimulating and highly frustrating! The source of the frustration is that the author dispels the myth of Kidd as a Pirate, showing him to be an honest man, betrayed, let down and sacrificed by others for their own purposes. I finished this book feeling almost that Captain Kidd was a personal friend, and was genuinely unhappy when reflecting upon the legacy that is attached to his name. The book shows what a great injustice was done to him...I would recommend it to anyone as a fantastic read.

M. Belcher

Captivating read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 5, 2006

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I brought this on the off chance for a quick read up on pirates and this was exactly what I wanted and more. The book is very well written and resulted in some late nights, as I just had to finish "one more chapter." Its a good mixture of captivating read and lots of facts and historical data. Whilst it focuses on just one pirate (Cpt Kidd) it brings in lots of contempories and historical context.

An ideal book to gem up on a few pirate facts and stories. Perfect for impressing one's children with!

M.C Reidy

This book is well-written with the feel of an historical ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 20, 2016

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This book is well-written with the feel of an historical novel. The author imparts a deep knowledge of maritime lore and history with a sense of ease. Certainly worth reading.

david wilson

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 1, 2017

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Very good book.

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