The Pirate Hunter

By: Richard Zacks

Narrated by: Michael Prichard

Length: 18 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Captain Kidd has gone down in history as America's most ruthless buccaneer. However, Captain William Kidd was no career cut-throat; he was a tough, successful New York sea captain who was hired to chase pirates. His three year odyssey pitted him against arrogant Royal Navy commanders, jealous East India Company captains, storms, starvation, angry natives, and above all, flesh-and-blood pirates. Across the oceans of the world, the pirate hunter, Kidd, pursued the pirate, Culliford. One man would hang in the harbor; the other would walk away with the treasure. The Pirate Hunter is both a masterpiece of historical detective work and a page-turner.

©2002 Richard Zacks (P)2003 Tantor Media, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Entertaining, richly detailed, and authoritatively narrated, Zacks's account of the life of legendary seaman William Kidd delivers a first-rate story....Zacks' book is a treasure, indeed." (Publishers Weeekly)
"Zacks fills our minds with the sights, sounds, and even the smells of the seventeenth century, and he rescues William Kidd from eternal damnation. A lively, educational, thoroughly spellbinding trip back in time." (Booklist)
"Enthralling....rich and riotous." (Time)

The Captain was robbed!

This book is an excellent telling of a little known story about Captain Kidd's life as a Privateer. Apparently there was a thin line between Pirate and Privateer distinguishable only to those with the power to benefit from a conclusion which was to their advantage. This story is well told and well read. It grabs you by the ?yard arm? and ?keel hauls? your interest. You will know why the American colonists decided to rebel against the English crown after listening to this wonderful tale of 17th and early 18th century commerce.

Excellent information, poor narration

This is one of those books that immediately intrigued me and with a 40 minute commute each way to work, I thought it would be an excellent candidate for audiobook. Sadly, it would have been an excellent book to read rather than listen to, as the narrator is extremely monotone and abrasive in his speaking style. It made an otherwise fascinating book, very difficult to listen to - I highly recommend the book. I bought it for a friend who was going on a vacation, he loved it; but again I believe that is because he read it rather than listened to it through the interpretation of Michael Prichard.

Extraordinary researched history makes for a stirring book.

The real story of Captain Kidd, unveiled in this book through extraordinary research and brilliantly told, shows how politicians, bureaucrats and the greed of worlds must successful multinational corporation (The British East India Company) were the genuine pirates.
You'll get a sense of the times and lives of sailors, pirates, British seaman, British aristocrats and businessmen, and the world they populated. You'll get a taste of sea battles and legal skirmishes -- the latter which turn out to be more deadly.
This is a highly detailed book that I thoroughly enjoyed. If you're not into knowing that much information, or you want a "swashbuckling" story, this may not be for you.

Not bad

As the previous reviewer said, this was not bad, but was not nearly as good as Empire of the Blue Water. The narration was not as good and the continuity was not either. But overall it was well written and well narrated and I would recommend it.

good historical account

I felt it had way to much details and explanation and varies from the story to much. the book is good but I was hoping for more of a smooth following and not jumping around and getting stuck on background on everything. just my opinion. listen for yourself. I liked it.

most interesting and entertaining

another example of historical greed. Google to know the legal system ha evolved since then.

Thought provoking

The book gave you the reader an in-depth feeling of the complex situation Captain Kidd found himself. The gossipy backstabbing and political shrewdness slowly closed the noose to where there was no escape and the bitterness of his betrayal stuck with my long after I finished this book. Certainly an important read for all who seek the truth hidden in what we call history!

Grievously sad...

This is one account of great injustice done to a man.
I was totally taken by this book.
Well written, awesome performance and an engaging story.
One has a sense of being there with the characters.
# Historical Detective Work, # Piracy, # Betrayed Hero, # Injustice, # Politics, # Tagsgiving, # Sweepstakes,

Aaaargh Matey, Listen to this tale!

Well researched, deftly written and masterfully read this Audiobook is an interesting listen for lovers of fiction as well as non-fiction. It is no easy task to bring legend to life and harder still when the truth does not parallel that legend. The author manages to bring Captain Kidd's story, and the time period, alive in this fascinating look at piracy - and not all the pirates being sailors, some are politicians, businessmen and royalty. This was a fun listen and worth the purchase.

Pirate Hunter

Well read. Interesting facts about what took place on the seas. Learned more about the trials in England at that time. Recognized names in history from the story. All and all a well written and read book.