Everything you've always wanted to know about pirates - and more! Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, Black Sam Bellamy - the very names conjure up images of razor-sharp cutlasses, sinister eye-patches, treasure chests, the skull and crossbones and walking the plank. their daredevil tales of robbery and butchery on the high seas have passed into folklore and formed the basis for such great literary heroes as Long John Silver and Captain Hook. this lavishly illustrated book charts the history of pirates, chronicling their rise and eventual fall. Fascinating memorabilia integrated into the pages of this book will bring the world of pirates vividly and uniquely to life. Featuring detailed biographies of legendary pirates plus features on their weapons, codes of conduct and punishments, the result is a compelling portrait of life at sea in a bygone age.