This is a chronological survey of the brotherhood, from the English explorer-marauders to the fellowship on the Spanish Main and in heavily accented on its details of ships and sailing, technicalities of boarding and capture, and incidents of the many battles and prizes. From Hawkins and Drake, he follows the course of the whole crew -- pirates, buccanncers, freebooters, and the pursuit of the Spanish treasure ships, the manoeuvers and strategy and the division of the spoils; he examines the life ashore as well as afloat, the conditions of ""going on the account"", the trials and punishments for those that were caught. The same figures appear here as in Pirate by Whipple (P. 854) but in briefer treatment for the focus is on the whole era of roving and raiding with its unplanned contributions to the opening of new lands and their new wealths. This, for an overall picture, can be read alone or in conjunction with Whipple's book. Both offer plenty of adventuring.
-Kirkus Review, 1956
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