The Sack of Panamá by Peter Earle

This is the story Captain Henry Morgan. Before he was on the rum bottle, he was a pirate, or as they were more politely called, privateer. He and his associates dominated the Caribbean sea during the later half of the 17th century, robbing the Spaniards into a state of fear and poverty. The book culminates with his campaign across the isthmus of Panama which successfully halted the shipment of gold and silver from Peru to Spain. My favorite story, however, was definitely his battle in Maracaibo. He pulled the ol' wooden-planks-painted-like-sailors trick and caught the Spaniards off guard. Classic pirate adventures for sure.

The book reads more like fiction than history, probably because the subject matter is so action packed. Earle is really knowledgeable and a good storyteller to boot. I plan on reading more privateer biographies, but for now haven't come across any more. Suggestions?

Treasure Island by Robert Luis Stevenson

I'm hopping on the fifty books boat a little late, but I have read a few books since the new year, and I'll go ahead and count them. First up, Treasure Island.

I know, I know, the book was written for children. The author says so much on the first page, but that doesn't make it any less of a book. It may be the original, and perhaps the best, swashbuckling soirée ever staged. I just don't know why I've never read it before.

Because the Muppets and Wishbone have both dramatized the book, everyone clearly already knows the plot. But just in case you were one of those kids (who grew up without TV) here it is: little Jim Hawkins suddenly finds himself owner of a treasure map and soon after sets out across the Atlantic in search of Skeleton Island. His pirate infested vessel is secretly headed by Long John Silver in the guise of ship's cook. But seriously Jim, he's got a peg leg. You should have seen that one coming.

So there's the set up. The Cap'n is looking for some booty to fund his south Florida retirement, and half a dozen honest men are trapped on an island with him. Action ensues.

It's hard not to get hooked by the story, and with pirates taking the theaters by storm, I think it's time for another look at the original. The third installment of Pirates of the Caribbean was a little disappointing, and now that I think about it, it was probably because I read Treasure Island about a week beforehand.