The Pirate Hunter: The True Story of Captain Kidd Paperback – June 18, 2003

I was blown away by the true, factual story of Captain Kidd and how most of us have been deceived by the old notorious legend. I couldn't put this book down. It is well researched and written. Unbelievable what this man went through.

I had never heard of Richard Zacks before reading this book. But on the cover I saw a ringing endorsement from Jimmy Buffett, and being a long-time Parrothead and fan of his books as well, I thought I would give it a try. After reading the first 3 chapters, I quit reading, put the book down and bought the Kindle version to take with to Mexico with me on vacation. In a nutshell, reading this book is a. Grand Adventure, that is so much better for being the well-researched truth. This book is Mark Twain, Tom Clancy and James Clavell all rolled into one. It has humor, politics, intrigue and a cast of characters that only history could create.This book really pops. Richard Zacks recreates the golden age of pirates in a way that captures your imagination and sweeps you away to another place in another time. The cast of lords and ladies, cutthroats and thieves, comes alive to portray the high drama that formed the life of both seafaring men, and those who profited most from their lives and deaths. If you have ever dreamed of sailing over the horizon into adventure, danger and exotic ports of call, or if you just want to play pirate for a little while, this book is for you. Don't miss your chance.

I enjoyed this book. I love history, and piracy is something I'm not too familiar about. What I couldn't get over was the (in)justice system of England in the late 17th, early 18th century. I would say -with little doubt- that there were many of people put to an early grave. Well, read this book and you'll see a new Empire trying to forge itself on to the world with all of it's glory and faults. Captain Kidd believed what he was doing was for 'King and country". It's unfortunate that he was used as a tool, only to be discarded when he becomes a political liability. Goverments will never be perfect. I'm personally thankful for that because it means we'll always have room to grow. To see the difference from then, and see what we've become now. That's truly amazing.

I'm reading this now, and so far it is superb!Captain Kidd was a really colorful character. He married a beautiful young -- filthy rich -- widow, and lived on Wall Street in Manhattan, in 1699, in one of the biggest mansions in the world.Bored with having more money than virtually anyone in the world, he got himself a 36-gun ship, and signed up as a "Privateer" for the King of England: he was authorized to hunt down the ships of the enemies of England and take their cargo.Now, when real pirates took ships, they got 100% of the booty; but privateers got a small amount for themselves and crew, and most of the rest went to their rich backers (think the "1%" who currently own America).Kidd, trying to recruit a crew, couldn't get one due to the low percentage of "cut". So he changed the rules: HIS crew would take most of the moolah, and the backers would get the small portion. He got his crew!In those days 75% of sailors in the British navy were dead after 2 years of service, due to scurvy, war, or shipwreck. Since most people didn't want to die, they could only fill crew rosters by grabbing any available man they could find.So Kidd & ship meet 4 British warships in the middle of the ocean. They want 30 of his guys. Who would he pick for the near-certain death sentence?No one! HIS ship has oars, and while the wind is dead he and his guys simply row off into the sunset! Yay!!EXCEPT: The British admiral simply tells everyone that Kidd is not a privateer, but a pirate. And the story is on for young and old!In those days, the penalty for doing ANYTHING that pissed off rich people was a long, drawn out, hideous torture death. So my guess is Captain Kidd will have to keep his wits about him for the rest of the book!Could Errol Flynn play the role of Captain Kidd or what???Having finished the book, it should stand as THE guide, for all time, of what happens when a person who has it all makes the absolute worst decisions possible. Kidd could have spent 50 pleasant years with his beautiful wife sippin' Mai Tai's on Wall Street. But instead he chose to sail with the scumbags of the planet, and was responsible for hundreds of deaths, incalculable property loss, and he almost got the British kicked out of India.When making your own life decisions, ask yourself, "What would Kidd do?" -- then do the exact opposite! It will lead you to happiness every time!

I have read some of this author's other books and liked them. I love sea stories and the true ones are better than the fictionalized ones. This is a maddening story of how governments use and abuse and the abused pay the price. It has many surprising details. The problem with this book is that it gets bogged down in the "sea journey" portions. I find them tedious to read. For a historian, it would probably be more compelling. That said, this is a captivating :) story. I think, however, the editing should have been a bit sharper.

So, what can I say!?! I’m sad for Captain Kidd. His friend, Livingston, made sure that he would not succeed. That, I will never understand. Mr. Zacks’ has done a great job writing this non-fiction; however, I will fact check. It’s what I do. :-)

Fascinating story, well written and interesting.

This apparently carefully researched book changes my perception about the "Notorious" Capt. Kidd. Obviously the school histories all copied the folklore and not the truth as Zacks uncovered. It is also a story containing more than one could ever wish concerning the Newgate prison and the court system in the late 17th century England. An engrossing story but a bit pedantic at times. Nicely done for esoteric history buffs.

I read a lot of biographies, but this stands tall for me. The writing is first class and the subject exciting, stimulating and highly frustrating! The source of the frustration is that the author dispels the myth of Kidd as a Pirate, showing him to be an honest man, betrayed, let down and sacrificed by others for their own purposes. I finished this book feeling almost that Captain Kidd was a personal friend, and was genuinely unhappy when reflecting upon the legacy that is attached to his name. The book shows what a great injustice was done to him...I would recommend it to anyone as a fantastic read.

I brought this on the off chance for a quick read up on pirates and this was exactly what I wanted and more. The book is very well written and resulted in some late nights, as I just had to finish "one more chapter." Its a good mixture of captivating read and lots of facts and historical data. Whilst it focuses on just one pirate (Cpt Kidd) it brings in lots of contempories and historical context.An ideal book to gem up on a few pirate facts and stories. Perfect for impressing one's children with!

The text gives a sense of the world of the pirate, the sights, smells, honour, dishonour, morality, cowardice and chaos. It's well structured and easy to read and romps through the challenges faced. It's balanced with the facts and details, plus a narrative, comment and interpretation. Facts alone can be worthless unless placed in context and this book provides the beginner with the scene setting explanations but is also strong enough on facts and pace to hold the attention of a reader who has more knowledge of pirate literature and texts.

amazing book! i really liked the story of captain kidd! those men has seen the world much more than most of the people of 21th century!

Very interesting and enjoyable read of a unique character with a tragic end.