Black Flags, Blue Waters Audiobook By Eric Jay Dolin cover art

Black Flags, Blue Waters

The Epic History of America's Most Notorious Pirates

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Black Flags, Blue Waters

By: Eric Jay Dolin
Narrated by: Paul Brion
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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 Maritime History & Piracy United States Colonial Period 17th Century Americas 18th Century Modern World Inspiring Water Explorations

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Comprehensive Historical Accounts • Fascinating Pirate Stories • Engaging Delivery • Well-researched Information

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This book attempts to look at at golden-age piracy through the lens of how it affected the American colonies. That is an interesting perspective, and it does have some unique information that I haven't encountered in other books.

I would say that the book partially succeeds. However, since it is difficult to tell that story without also giving the background information of piracy in the West Indies, about two thirds (just a rough estimate) of the content of the book is also covered in "The Republic of Pirates" by Colin Woodard, which, in my humble opinion, did a better job of it.

There is still a decent amount of interesting information in the book. Some of the stories relayed are different than other versions I have heard, and for some strange reason, I like hearing alternate reports. Perhaps the mystery is what makes this era in history so interesting to me.

Overall, although I occasionally got tired of hearing redundant information, I am glad I picked up this book.

Golden-Age Piracy from an American perspective

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Author & Story are great, Narrator is ultra dull

The writing and story are super interesting, however the dull, monotone, narration by Paul Brion dulls down the rich content. He shows not appreciation for the exciting stories with his flat delivery. I almost returned it because of that but decided to keep it since the stories/history are truly interesting

Author & Story are great, Narrator is ultra dull

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The book has is more of a tutorial on the many pirates of the Caribbean and Indian Oceans. Some of the worst one's like Black Beard, psychopath Edward "Ned" Low, and a real life Robinson Crusoe castaway Philip Ashton. If you want to know the hard short lives of pirates start here.

History by eye witness's, journals, and court case

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this book is captivating! I can't get over the research the author must have done.
I listened to it while I was working and I found myself anxious to get to work and start listening where I left off. the narration was good. Nice voice that holds your attention.

Wow!

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Enjoyed this tittle very much so
God save the queen
I can ride my bike with no handle bars

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