The Republic of Pirates

An entrancing tale of piracy colored with gold, treachery and double-dealing (Portland Press Herald), Pulitzer Prize-finalist Colin Woodward's The Republic of Pirates is the historical biography of the exploits of infamous Caribbean buccaneers during the Golden Age of Piracy.

In the early eighteenth century, the Pirate Republic was home to some of the great pirate captains, including Edward "Blackbeard" Teach, "Black Sam" Bellamy, and Charles Vane. Along with their fellow pirates — former sailors, indentured servants, and runaway slaves — this "Flying Gang" established a crude but distinctive democracy in the Bahamas, carving out their own zone of freedom in which servants were free, blacks could be equal citizens, and leaders were chosen or deposed by a vote.

They cut off trade routes, sacked slave ships, and severed Europe from its New World empires. For a brief, glorious period this true story of pirates reveals a success story as they became heroes in the eyes of the people.

Drawing on extensive research in the archives of Britain and the Americas, award-winning author Colin Woodard tells the dramatic untold story of the Pirate Republic that shook the very foundations of the British and Spanish Empires and fanned the democratic sentiments that would one day drive the American revolution.

This definitive work of maritime history reveals the real story behind the legends:

The Golden Age of Piracy: Go beyond the myths to discover the true, ten-year maritime revolt that brought the British Empire to its knees and disrupted transatlantic commerce.

Legendary Pirate Captains: Follow the dramatic exploits of Edward “Blackbeard” Teach, “Black Sam” Bellamy, and the notorious Charles Vane as they rise from common sailors to feared commanders.

A Pirate Democracy: Learn about the “Flying Gang” and the crude but distinctive republic they established in the Bahamas, a zone of freedom where leaders were chosen by vote and all men were equal.

Authoritative Research: Based on extensive investigation in the archives of Britain and the Americas, this untold story shakes the foundations of our understanding of the era.