Previous American edition was published in 2005.

Includes index.

What is a pirate? -- Where were they? -- Early piracy -- Raiders of the North -- Barbary corsairs -- The Maltese revenge -- The New World -- Privateers -- Buccaneers -- The Jolly Roger -- The pirate round -- Attack! -- Hand-to-hand -- A pirate's life for me -- Marooned -- Pirates of the Indian Ocean -- Unlucky pirate -- Punishment -- The king of pirates -- Pirates of the Eastern Seas -- Pirates of today -- Set sail -- True or false? -- Treasure hunt -- Facts matchup -- Glossary.

Presents a history of piracy throughout the world, and discusses characteristics of buccaneers, privateers, and corsairs, including descriptions of weapons and daily life.