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Pirate Hunters

Treasure, Obsession, and the Search for a Legendary Pirate Ship

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 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY CHICAGO TRIBUNE • A thrilling adventure of danger and deep-sea diving, historic mystery and suspense, by the author of Shadow Divers

Finding and identifying a pirate ship is the hardest thing to do under the sea. But two men—John Chatterton and John Mattera—are willing to risk everything to find the Golden Fleece, the ship of the infamous pirate Joseph Bannister. At large during the Golden Age of Piracy in the seventeenth century, Bannister should have been immortalized in the lore of the sea—his exploits more notorious than Blackbeard’s, more daring than Kidd’s. But his story, and his ship, have been lost to time. If Chatterton and Mattera succeed, they will make history—it will be just the second time ever that a pirate ship has been discovered and positively identified. Soon, however, they realize that cutting-edge technology and a willingness to lose everything aren’t enough to track down Bannister’s ship. They must travel the globe in search of historic documents and accounts of the great pirate’s exploits, face down dangerous rivals, battle the tides of nations and governments and experts. But it’s only when they learn to think and act like pirates—like Bannister—that they become able to go where no pirate hunters have gone before.

Fast-paced and filled with suspense, fascinating characters, history, and adventure, Pirate Hunters is an unputdownable story that goes deep to discover truths and souls long believed lost.

Praise for Pirate Hunters

“You won’t want to put [it] down.”—Los Angeles Times

“An exceptional adventure . . . Highly recommended to readers who delight in adventure, suspense, and the thrill of discovering history at their fingertips.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“A terrific read . . . The book gallops along at a blistering pace, shifting us deftly between the seventeenth century and the present day.”—Diver

“Nonfiction with the trademarks of a novel: the plots and subplots, the tension and suspense . . . [Kurson has] found gold.”—The Dallas Morning News

“Rollicking . . . a fascinating [story] about the world of pirates, piracy, and priceless treasures.”—The Boston Globe

“[Kurson’s] narration is just as engrossing as the subject.”—The Christian Science Monitor

“A wild ride [and an] extraordinary adventure . . . Kurson’s own enthusiasm, combined with his copious research and an eye for detail, makes for one of the most mind-blowing pirate stories of recent memory, one that even the staunchest landlubber will have a hard time putting down.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“The two contemporary pirate-ship seekers of Mr. Kurson’s narrative are as daring, intrepid, tough and talented as Blood and Sparrow—and Bannister. . . . As depicted by the author, they are real-life Hemingway heroes.”—The Wall Street Journal

“[Kurson] takes his knowledge of the underwater world and applies it to the ‘Golden Age of Piracy’ . . . thrillingly detailing the highs and lows of chasing not just gold and silver but also history.”—Booklist

“A great thriller full of tough guys and long odds . . . and: It’s all true.”—Lee Child Adventure Travel Americas Caribbean & West Indies Expeditions & Discoveries Maritime History & Piracy World Adventure Pirate Suspense Caribbean
All stars
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Fantastic adventure and insight into treasure hunting and pirates. Was sad when I got to the end because I was enjoying it so much. Pity Shadow Divers isn’t on audible. Good old fashioned boys own tale.

A cracking yarn

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I really enjoyed the narrative of the story and the details of the life of a pirate, which really painted a picture.
I felt the ending a little bit of an anti climax with little detail on the finds and treasures within the Golden Fleece.
All in all a great story of persistence and determination.

Great Story

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Top marks for the story. I've lost count on how often I sat on edge with Chatterden Matera and Bowden.
The feeling when finally holding proof in their hands that they've found the golden fleece I can only imagine.
I could imagine what it must've looked like when J. Bannister angered his Golden Fleece in paradise.
I could picture the battle with the navy and sinking his ship.
It is a shame that they fell out with Bowden.....
I only gave 3 stars for the performance as the voice was at some parts pretty boring. Read as if the person couldn't be bothered. I was missing excitement and emotions.....

What a remarkable Story/Adventure

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This is class
Entertainment
History
Adventure
It has it all would recommend to anyone interested in pirate history

Hidden gem

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I love nonfiction for my audio books, and this one hit the spot. The narrator provides enough performance to keep it interesting, and I was glued to the last two hours or so’!

Enjoyable and interesting!

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