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  • The Republic of Pirates

  • Being the True and Surprising Story of the Caribbean Pirates and the Man Who Brought Them Down
  • By: Colin Woodard
  • Narrated by: Lewis Grenville
  • Length: 13 hrs and 26 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (521 ratings)
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The Republic of Pirates

By: Colin Woodard
Narrated by: Lewis Grenville
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Summary

The untold story of a heroic band of Caribbean pirates whose defiance of imperial rule inspired revolt in colonial outposts across the world. 

In the early 18th century, the Pirate Republic was home to some of the great pirate captains, including Blackbeard, "Black Sam" Bellamy, and Charles Vane. Along with their fellow pirates - former sailors, indentured servants, and runaway slaves - this "Flying Gang" established a crude but distinctive democracy in the Bahamas, carving out their own zone of freedom in which servants were free, Blacks could be equal citizens, and leaders were chosen or deposed by a vote. They cut off trade routes, sacked slave ships, and severed Europe from its New World empires. And for a brief, glorious period, the Republic was a success. 

©2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc. (P)2015 Blackstone Audiobooks

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What listeners say about The Republic of Pirates

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An interesting read

The only thing I didn’t like was the American reader, American pronunciations to British places etc did jar somewhat. Overall a great and informative book.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Don't buy it

Really struggled to finish it. Some interesting parts but no deep analysis, which makes it indistinguishable from the source the author has got all of his research from.

That the author just skips over major pirates (eg Bartholomew Roberts) because its outside the relam he places on himself is bizarre and has quite literally told the story of the golden age of pirates but omitting key points he doesn't 'fancy' putting in? It's weird.

As I said it leans so much on the primary source of the general history of pyrates, you're better off listening to that instead which has far more. General History will also tell you about more than just America (which was strange of this book to do so as the Republic was Nassau), you'll hear about Brazil, more of Africa and across the Caribbean giving you a more rounded view of the scope of Piracy.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating story spoiled by poor narration.

A rich and fascinating story of pirate history unfortunately spoiled by poor narration and pronunciation.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

AC4 fan looking for some confirmation?

I looked for a book like this because I'm an AC4 fan, this dramatised history book is enjoyable to listen to and confirms a lot of characters, events from AC4 (obviously not all events and characters) but the parallels are nice and I enjoyed this book as a result.

American narrator was OKAY, but a little dry at times. Lots of English, Spanish and French names get butchered but it's understandable.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Genuinely interesting Pirate Lore

This is the only Audible book I have listened to multiple times. I love Pirate history and this is extremely comprehensive and well read/researched. It can be very detailed at times (great for me) but nothing that detracts from an excellent place to learn all about your favourite Pirates ☠

Superb.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Okay-ish

Starts of strong, great information on 3 most notorious pirats, who they were and how they got to be as they were. However, a metric ton of name dropping, some did not feel entirely relative, thus caused me to loose track and interest towards the end.

Should you listen to it?
If its your study area and you need to know all minor trivial details: Absolutely!

If you want to learn about pirates and history: Sure but be warned.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

I was expecting tales of pirates, I got facts and figures

Meh not the best audible book. There where bits that if it was a book you would clearly skim read over and move on swiftly. Unfortunately whilst driving to work in the morning and going from stories to then figures of how much things are worth gets rather drab.
I didn’t finish this book for the safety of other drivers, it was so very very boring zzzzzz. I’m a very nautical person, I work in a chandlery and yet even I couldn’t cope with how factual and number orintated this book was.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Jacobite pirates

Lots of new information delivered in an interesting way. Listened to on a cruise in the Caribbean which added to my interest.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable and interesting listen

I enjoyed this, it held my interest and I found it very well narrated. A good pace and coverage of the golden era of Caribbean pirates.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Intriguing account of piracy in the Carribbean

This was an easy listen. The author covers the trajectory of several pirates and the world into which they came. Provides interesting high level insights into the state of the new world at the time, both on the islands of the Carribbean and the coast of what is now the US.

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