Empire of the Blue Water

[Jib]

Any of you read this book? Stephan Talty is the author.

[roytheodd]

I haven't, but I'm wondering is it fact or fiction?

[sirhenrymorgan]

It's a little of both. It's filled with some of the usual misinformation, particularly when he rolls buccaneer life in with pirate life as if it were the same thing. There are a lot of better books on Morgan out there. I can supply a list.

I do, however, have to say I enjoyed the forward. That was us down there - the pirate crewe he mentions...

-- Sir Henry

[sirhenrymorgan]

By far the best of all the Morgan books is Sack of Panama: Sir Henry Morgan's Adventures on the Spanish Main by Peter Earle. He goes to the original documents in England and Spain and compares what has been said with what actually happened. Plus, he's about the only one who has taken what Esquemmeling has said and broken it into fact (a little) and fiction (a lot). A really well researched book. Most of the others use the previous accounts as their basis of research so inaccuracies are simply repeated, including the famed one of Morgan using monks and nuns as human shields, which was not the case... not even in the Spanish accounts of the battle.

-- Sir Henry

[Jib]

Sir Henry if you have more books about Capt. Morgan that you think make a good read feel free to add them. I like the period right before the "Golden Age" slightly better than GOAP.

[sirhenrymorgan]

My favorites would be:

Harry Morgan's Way - Dudley Pope

The Great Buccaneer - Philip Lindsay

and Sir Henry Morgan, Pirate and Pioneer - Rosita Forbes

Steinbeck's Cup of Gold is also a good one... although its ending is a little strange. But hey, it's fictional.

I also like this period much better. The mask of piracy under the king's flag was an interesting tim indeed and much of what is thought to be GAoP is actually from this earlier time (articles, shares, bucket boots, etc.)

-- Sir Henry

[Jib]

Thanks Sir Henry!

So far Empire is a fine read. I like how the author details what else is going on in the world at the same time. Nice perspective.

[BILLY BONES]

It's been a few weeks since I read it. Liked it for the most part, but didn't much enjoy his fictional character. And you're right, the odd reference to Blackbeard in the middle of a book about bucaniers threw me a bit. I guess he figured people would relate better, but it seems to add misconception onto misconception.

[sirhenrymorgan]

I find the fictional Roderick quite distracting. Morgan's exploits are quite enough on their own without getting into the mindset of an average soldier under his command. I find it difficult to shift gears constantly.

-- Henry

[The Doctor]

I have to agree that while "Empire" was a fun summer read, the Peter Earle book is proving to be a much better work over all.

[Mungo]

My favorites would be:

Harry Morgan's Way - Dudley Pope

The Great Buccaneer - Philip Lindsay

and Sir Henry Morgan, Pirate and Pioneer - Rosita Forbes

I seriously second on the Pope book. Some good research and nicely presented.