Kenneth J. Kinkor

This nonfiction picture book tells the story of "Black Sam" Bellamy and his crew, particularly the crew of the pirated slave ship Whydah which crashed off the shores of Cape Cod in 1717. This book also tells the story of one historian's quest to find artifacts of the Whydah to better tell the story of this fascinating, democratic group of pirates from the eighteenth century. It's not intended as a read-aloud book, but is also not divided into chapters. Each page has a distinct topic and heading. Overall, an enjoyable history book.… (mehr)

A thoroughly investigated re-creation of a doomed ship's final journey. From its beginnings as a slave ship plying the lucrative trade route from Europe to Africa to the New World, to its capture by famed pirate, Sam Bellamy, to its sinking along the Cape Cod coastline, Barry Clifford tells the riveting true story of The Whydah's last voyage. Reinforced with photographed artifacts from the ship, painted illustrations, and replicas of period charts and drawings, the story of The Whydah is enhanced by the secondary story of how the persistent Barry Clifford unearthed the sunken vessel's secrets.
Small print and numerous illustrations are employed to tell the story in short titled sections, "Flying the Jolly Roger," The Storm at Sea," etc. Particularly interesting is "The Articles,"

"Even though the pirates were criminals, they insisted that the Articles be strictly obeyed." One such article from Ye Articles of ye Gentlemen of Fortune, "Any Man who Strikes or Abuses another of Company shall suffer such Punishement as ye Company shall deeme ffit & Just. Every Man's Quarrel to be settled a shoar with Sword & Pistol & be Adjudged Fair Fighy by ye Quarter-Master." (from Captain Charles Johnson's A General History of the Pyrates, 1724)

Index, suggested reading, references and websites complete the book.For older readers interested in pirate lore or shipwrecks. Fascinating! Check out the Wydah Exhibit @ http://www.piratesexhibit.com/… (mehr)