Either the author of this novel is grossly misinformed or is rewriting history.
Nay say I. For thee thinks he deserves to be haunted relentlessly by the Great Pirate Roberts in retribution for his slander made upon the memory of whom he hath insulted.
How does this author dare show anything less than respectful admiration to the greatest pirate (and perhaps greatest sea Captain) ever to sail a ship.
Captain Bartholomew (John at birth) Roberts was NOT illiterate, as stated within these pages but rather a well educated gentlemen merchant turned pirate after his law bidding ship was captured.
Should one, who is forced into a life, then not try to make the best of it?
Would this author be one to scoff at Merlin, who is hailed at the greatest magician of all time, simply because he was a trickster and an alchemist.
Why has this author invented a 12th article, for there were only 11. No such article stated as being "No Irish, None at All." Calling the Irish "faithless teagues prancing peacocks" further stating that Captain Roberts did not touch alcohol as it was already in his blood.
OH ROT! Captain Roberts did not drink alcohol for in deadened his capacity for intelligent thinking.
Captain Roberts was not on shore while awaiting the return of the Rover but below deck eating turtle soup. The Royal Fortune was lying at anchor when a dishonorable British Captain Ogle, under false color, sailed upon her before she could make sail.
In the last, of Captain Roberts' death, also in stated in error, as only one broadside was fired from the Sallow and Captain Roberts was killed when grapeshot tore out his throat.
In this woman's opinion that the author took much of his knowledge from the same pages of error, which states it was Marie Antoinette who said "Let Them Eat Cake" when in actuality, it was Marie-Therese the daughter of Philip IV, King of Spain and the wife of Louis XIV.
To close in on other failings I find it most interesting that for a man who supposedly sailed upon a tall ship, knows not, how to get underway.
In regard to the foretold vivid sexual acts, the first was pretty timid and the second reduced to a short paragraph. If this is Griffin's idea of lovemaking I must offer his woman my sympathy.
This fan of Errol Flynn and Robert Louis Stevenson found this book not only grossly inaccurate but believes that those who wrote the reviews and the writing on the back cover know nothing of Captain Roberts, or of life as it was as sea during the period or they would of written reviews of a different sort.
At least Griffin was accurate in the area that Captain Roberts held religious services on board his ship and made a fair attempt to speak in Old English. But nevertheless, the only way I would recommend this novel was if it was a cold night and one was out of kindling.
This reader has no objection to Historical Fiction providing it is entertaining and does not alter the facts. However this book does not measure up to the reviews and has little historical value.