You might be a fan of Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. But did you know that real-life pirates were even more daring and charismatic? Pirates are outlaws who commit crimes at sea. Throughout history they have attacked cargo-laden ships to pillage gold, silver, human slaves, and valuable foodstuffs. Twenty-first-century pirates take crews hostage and demand ransoms. Some even siphon off petroleum from tanker ships. The world of pirates is one of violence and economic desperation. Yet over the centuries, pirates have acquired a reputation as rugged adventurers and heroes. Novelists, playwrights, cartoonists, and screenwriters have created a wide range of tales showing pirates as noble and even lovable figures. Swashbuckling Scoundrels introduces readers to real-life pirates medieval Viking raiders, Caribbean buccaneers, black pirates, female pirates, and modern-day pirates as well as famous fictional characters such as Long John Silver and Mary "Jacky" Faber of the Bloody Jack series of novels. .

Introduction: Of fools and freebooters -- Chapter one. Scourge of the seas -- Chapter two. The golden age of piracy -- Chapter three. From sabers to rocket launchers -- Chapter four. Pop culture pirates.