Black Flags, Blue Waters: The Epic History of America's Most Notorious Pirates

Black Flags, Blue Waters chronicles the history of American piracy during its peak years from the late 1600s through the 1720s. The book focuses specifically on pirates who operated in and around colonial America, rather than the broader Caribbean region. Pirates emerged from colonial American ports and communities, often with the implicit support of local merchants and officials who benefited from their plunder. Dolin traces their expeditions, battles, and complex relationships with colonial governments through primary sources including court records, letters, and newspaper accounts. The narrative follows major figures like Samuel Bellamy, Bartholomew Roberts, and William Kidd as they operated along the Eastern seaboard and beyond. Their stories intersect with the politics, commerce, and social dynamics of colonial America. This history reveals how piracy was intertwined with early American development, challenging popular myths about pirates as pure outsiders. The book examines the economic and political forces that first enabled and then ultimately ended the "Golden Age" of American piracy.

Readers describe Black Flags, Blue Waters as a detailed, well-researched history that focuses on pirates' connections to colonial America rather than rehashing familiar Caribbean tales. Readers appreciated: - Focus on lesser-known historical details and primary sources - Clear writing style that remains engaging despite dense historical content - Debunking of common pirate myths - High-quality maps and illustrations Common criticisms: - Pacing slows in middle sections - Too much focus on dates and statistics - Some readers found the colonial American angle limiting - Several note it can feel more academic than entertaining Review Scores: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (750+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Finally, a pirate book that sticks to historical facts instead of Hollywood drama" - Amazon reviewer "Gets bogged down in minutiae at times but worth pushing through" - Goodreads reviewer "Expected more action and adventure, reads like a textbook" - Goodreads reviewer

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🏴‍☠️ During the height of American piracy (1680-1726), many colonial officials secretly collaborated with pirates, taking bribes and helping them sell stolen goods through legitimate markets. ⚓ Author Eric Jay Dolin holds a Ph.D. in environmental policy from MIT and has written numerous acclaimed books about maritime history, including "Leviathan" and "Brilliant Beacons." 🗺️ The book reveals that contrary to popular belief, most American pirates didn't bury their treasure. They typically spent their plunder quickly in colonial ports on luxuries, alcohol, and entertainment. ⚔️ The term "Black Flag" originated because pirates would dye their flags with pitch or tar to make them more durable at sea, resulting in a dark appearance that eventually became synonymous with piracy. 🏖️ Many colonial American ports, including Newport, Rhode Island and Charleston, South Carolina, began as pirate-friendly havens before transforming into respectable commercial centers.