Why Sailors Chose to Become Pirates (It Wasn't What You Think)

In 1720, a pirate named Bartholomew Roberts captured over 400 ships in three years — most of them bigger than his own, and most without firing a shot. This is the real story of how it worked, and what it reveals about the Golden Age of Piracy that pirate history usually leaves out. Sources: Pirate society, the Articles, and democratic ship structure: Rediker, 2004. Villains of All Nations: Atlantic Pirates in the Golden Age (Beacon Press) Merchant sailor working conditions and the labor origins of piracy: Rediker, 1987. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Cambridge University Press) The economics of pirate organization and incentives: Leeson, 2009. The Invisible Hook: The Hidden Economics of Pirates (Princeton University Press) Original record of injury compensation and share distribution: Exquemelin, 1678. The Buccaneers of America Golden Age narrative history and the suppression of piracy: Woodard, 2007. The Republic of Pirates (Harcourt) #PirateHistory #GoldenAgeOfPiracy #BartholomewRoberts #MaritimeHistory #AgeOfSail