The image of the pirate is one that has never failed to capture the imagination, but behind the melodramatic portrayals of such villains as Long John Silver, with wooden leg and eye-patch, lies a much harsher reality. This book is the first port of call for anyone keen to separate the fact from the fiction.

A fascinating study of pirates throughout history, packed with pirate-related artworks and objects from the National Maritime Museum collection.

The image of the pirate is one that has never failed to capture the imagination, but behind the melodramatic portrayals of villains like Long John Silver, complete with wooden leg and eye-patch, lies a much harsher reality. David Cordingly and John Falconer chart the history of piracy; explore the portrayal of pirates in popular literature, film, and TV; and examine the tools of the pirate trade, including maps, charts, flags, weapons, and ships. Alongside this telling history, the one hundred color illustrations in Pirates: Fact and Fiction showcase the stunning artworks and artifacts within the National Maritime Museum's vast collection to shine new light on a subject of perennial interest.