A Pirate's Life — David James

The year is 1718. For five years, pirates in the North Atlantic have turned Nassau, New Providence into a utopia, spreading their plunder as they pleased without even the semblance of law. It was the place that Edward Teach (A.K.A. Blackbeard) called home. Infamous pirates like Jack Rackham and Charles Vane frequented the brothels and taverns. It was where the legends of Mary Read and Anne Bonny arose along with the flourishing pirate haven. But when word hits that King George is sending in a governor to take control of the town, pirates suddenly face a choice: accept the king's pardon and quit piracy, or flee. Overnight, the utopia is in danger of collapsing into civil war. Wrapped up in the predicament is a talented young thief, Edward Banvard. Raised in a New Providence bordello among cuthroats and scallywags, Edward must decide whether to hit the high seas with the rebellious pirates or wait to see if the pirate utopia will survive the new arms of the law eager for retribution. A Pirate's Life is a revisionist, historically-centered adventure that provides a counterpoint to the fantasy-based contemporary depiction of pirates. Some were cunning businessmen and courageous sailors. Others were hopeless derelicts enjoying brief interludes of beauty and luxury as they lurked from one adventure to the next. All had a story to tell as the great golden age of Caribbean piracy faded into legend.