Rebecca Simon

Anne Bonny was born as the illegitimate child of attorney William Cormac and his maid Peg Brennan. After William's wife discovers their affair, the two escape to SC to start anew. Peg dies and William forms a plan to have Anne married off. Anne, repulsed by this prospect, runs off to the Bahamas with James Bonny, later her husband, OR with a friend, Anne Fulworth. There, in 1719, she would meet pirate "Calico" Jack Rackham! Mary Read was born of an unnamed mother, whose husband dies at sea. After the death of her little brother, Mary lives as "Mark" in her mother's desperate attempt to maintain the allowance granted by Mary's grandparents. Eventually, "Mark" joins the Royal Navy and then the Army, only revealing her true identity after falling in love with a Flemish soldier. After his death, she again lives as "Mark" and after making her way to the Caribbean on a Dutch merchant ship, decides to join Rackham's crew. At this time Mary and Anne finally meet, forming the infamous Trifecta of the Golden Age of Piracy in 1720! 🏴‍☠

I can confidently say that Dr. Simon, despite limited available resources, has succeeded in Pirate Queens! While I am a fan of the love triangle theory between Read, Bonny and Rackham, I do acknowledge that it isn't supported historically. Simon sticks to the facts, and reconstructs their lives without the wild speculation seen in TV dramas. There's also plenty here that isn't usually included by other Golden Age historians. It's accessible, honest and entertaining! It also gives you a peek into the lives of other famous pirates, like Benjamin Hornigold and Charles Vane. It's an important read for women's history, not just pirate history. I literally finished it in one evening! I actually recommend this one for all the folks who don't usually read nonfiction. Honestly, if Dr. Simon wrote a series of pirate biographies like this one, I would buy them all!… (más)

Are you writing pirate themed fantasy or historical fiction? Writing an AU pirate fanfiction? Are you DMing a pirate quest? Or are you like me and just plain curious? Then this is the perfect guide for you! Simon's book covers work, health, safety, weapons, food, drink, entertainment and so much more!

Dr. Simon first introduces the reader to the Articles set by infamous pirates Edward Low, George Lowther, Bartholomew Roberts and John Phillips. Around that they establish the general pirate code of honor, in combination with piracy-trial testimonies to demonstrate the expectations of pirate captains and life as a crew member. Of course, not every crew member joined willingly, but sometimes signing the articles and taking a single share of the booty was all it took to be convicted of piracy, regardless of the circumstances.

Dr. Simon also breaks down the rank and file of a ship, and how "common council" included every member. "The decisions made among the council were so sacred that not even a captain could override them." In this way, Simon dispels the myth of the "happy go lucky" pirates as well. Pirates were known to be quite cruel. "Keel-hauling" and "marooning" were notorious practices. Victims could be strung up, brutally beaten or even worse to reveal the "secret cache" of their captured ship.

However, the pirate life was still preferred by many in comparison to a life in the British Navy. Men joined the pirates for the immediate payout instead of waiting months while their families begged. They had access to better provisions and made landfall more often. Simon also dispels the myth of "women were bad luck," discussing homosexuality and the legal contacts between crew members and the evidence for both. Until that chapter, I'd never heard of a "matelotage!" Easy to follow, well-researched, and an excellent book overall!… (más)