Scouts learn what to do in survival situations, like if they get lost during a hike in the woods or if they’re stranded in a desert. But would they know how to respond if they were captured by 17th century pirates?
Young readers can step back in time and learn how to live as a pirate in National Geographic Kids’ How to Survive in the Age of Pirates. The 96-page book, aimed for late-elementary and middle school readers, combines fascinating historical facts and engaging graphics and illustrations to enhance the reader’s understanding of the unsavory yet profitable life back then.
“It’s designed to be a fun, quick read,” says author Crispin Boyer. “You can open this book at any page and find something interesting.”
This book appeals to both parents and youth, whether you’re a voracious student or a casual peruser of history.
Becoming a pirate
Growing up in Florida, Boyer enjoyed scuba diving and boating – in the very waters where the “Golden Age of Pirates” took place. He also had a subscription to National Geographic’s World magazine.
That love for learning and adventure led him to take a volunteer job aboard the Lady Washington as an adult. The Lady Washington is a tall ship replica that cruises along the Pacific Coast, offering outings and reenactments to the public. The ship has been used in several films, including as the HMS Interceptor in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
“You do get a sense of how dangerous this was,” Boyer says. “When you’re climbing up the rigging, you’re wearing harnesses and ropes now, and you feel like you’re getting whipped around all over the place. It gave me a new appreciation for pirates.”
Some pirates got their start as cabin boys and girls, as young as 10 years old. Most pirates in the “Golden Age” from 1650 to 1720 first served as privateers, hired by their respective governments to disrupt merchant operations of enemy countries.
“Everyone was fighting with everybody,” Boyer says.
When politics became friendlier, privateers soon were out of a job, so they resorted to piracy.
“For pirates, it was second nature,” Boyer says. “They could sail a boat like it was nothing.”
Though piracy has existed for thousands of years, this “Golden Age” that happened along the Atlantic Coast of the U.S. and in the Caribbean is often glamorized in movies and books. Some of these depictions are accurate, but some are not.
Argh! That’s not true!
Did pirates have talking parrots? Did they force victims to walk the plank? Did they bury their treasure?
In How to Survive in the Age of Pirates, Boyer separates fact from fiction, relying on reputable resources and piracy expert Dr. Rebecca Simon during his research for the book. Boyer’s favorite part of the book is the anecdotes about pirates and their attacks. They were well documented and often buck popular depictions we have of pirates now.
And no, pirates didn’t force victims to walk the plank, but they did have birds and treasure, just not in the way it’s often portrayed in media. If you were to unearth a pirate’s booty, it would likely not be gold doubloons but instead sail cloth, spices and lumber – very valuable commodities.
The book also highlights the geopolitical issues and economy of the time, shedding light on the rise of piracy. Once you dive into the “why,” you can jump into “how” to be a pirate. How to Survive in the Age of Pirates details how to navigate the seas, how to maintain a ship and how to live within pirate culture. The book details many of the dangers of the time, from disease to getting marooned on a desert island.
There’s a section on famous pirates, including Edward “Blackbeard” Thatch, Mary Read and Anne Bonny, and Bartholomew “Black Bart” Roberts with some “fearsome facts” about each.
Come aboard!
If your Scout is working on a book report for school or just wants a fun read during a road trip, How to Survive in the Age of Pirates is a great resource. The book is designed for reluctant readers who might want to look at a few pages and for eager readers who enjoy reading books cover to cover. But don’t worry, your Scout will want to share interesting facts they learn rather than hop aboard a pirate ship after reading the book.
“Pirates are pretty glorified, but they were awful people. They were criminals,” Boyer says. “They’ll take everything, and in some cases, they’ll take you. The book doesn’t glorify pirates. Instead, it demonstrates the situations why they’d choose this lifestyle.”
And better understanding history helps youth better understand their world and how it was shaped over the years.
You can find the book ($9.99) on Amazon.
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