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  • The Republic of Pirates

  • Being the True and Surprising Story of the Caribbean Pirates and the Man Who Brought Them Down
  • By: Colin Woodard
  • Narrated by: Lewis Grenville
  • Length: 13 hrs and 26 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (523 ratings)
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The Republic of Pirates

By: Colin Woodard
Narrated by: Lewis Grenville
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Summary

The untold story of a heroic band of Caribbean pirates whose defiance of imperial rule inspired revolt in colonial outposts across the world. 

In the early 18th century, the Pirate Republic was home to some of the great pirate captains, including Blackbeard, "Black Sam" Bellamy, and Charles Vane. Along with their fellow pirates - former sailors, indentured servants, and runaway slaves - this "Flying Gang" established a crude but distinctive democracy in the Bahamas, carving out their own zone of freedom in which servants were free, Blacks could be equal citizens, and leaders were chosen or deposed by a vote. They cut off trade routes, sacked slave ships, and severed Europe from its New World empires. And for a brief, glorious period, the Republic was a success. 

©2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc. (P)2015 Blackstone Audiobooks

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What listeners say about The Republic of Pirates

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very informative

Would you consider the audio edition of The Republic of Pirates to be better than the print version?

No

Any additional comments?

This book is a must for any wishing to learn about the great pirates of the high seas. Highly recommended.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating

A great fascinating account of the Golden Age of pirates. Goes nicely with watching The Black Sails.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent, reads like a novel.

The first audiobook I'm actually listening for a 2nd time. It's probably the most gripping documentary there is, reads (or listens) like a novel. I liked the narrator, clear and good voice. The author is describing separate stories (which occasionally combine) chronologically, which gives you a much better perspective of all the events that were going on at each time period. I will probably be listening a third time in the future!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Exciting insight

Exhilarating and exciting insight into the life of pirates and the nations and peoples trying to catch them. Written in a way that blends storytelling with fact and read well by the reader.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic book

What a great book, I'll certainly be listening to it again. I was sort of up with the "Golden age" of pirates, Elizabeth 1 etc so this book was a good wee add on to my interest. Even though the narrator was American I thought he did a good job in keeping the story on track & interesting, so a big 5* to him. There seem to be no end of pirate books out there (most are two bob) so this book was actually a nice surprise. If you love pirate history then you'll love The Pirate History Podcast (look for the red Jolly Roger) which is, I think, the gold standard in the pirate story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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The Real Pirates of the Caribbean!

Thoroughly enjoyable and detailed recitation of the exploits of the real Pirates of the Caribbean.

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ace good read

I liked the detail and the narrator was good so it was easy to listen to

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyable and interesting listen

I enjoyed this, it held my interest and I found it very well narrated. A good pace and coverage of the golden era of Caribbean pirates.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

An interesting history of the golden age of piracy

Colin Woodard has created a fascinating history of some key figures in the history of piracy but his work is let down by a very much below par narration shot through with inexcusable mispronunciation of standard English words that should have been picked up during recording. A frustrating negative to an otherwise very good book.I

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story - really well narrated

All I knew before reading this book was a bit about Blackbeard, but this book was really really interesting. This was told from a very human perspective, including details about what life was like in the Royal Navy, about Privateers and about how Pirates became popular.

This is not just a dry recounting of events, this book tells you about the backgrounds of the main men involved and how they ended up in the Carribean.

It is also written from multiple different points of view, in chronological order ( bit like Game of Thrones), so does a good job of trying to paint the bigger picture. Really enjoyed this book and would recommend

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