Get ready to set sail in James Hooker’s upcoming novel, Pirate, a swashbuckling, riotous adventure depicting the extraordinary life and escapades of one of history’s greatest freebooters.

Welcome to the early 18th century and the bloody “Golden Age of Piracy.” Scores of pirates roam the world’s oceans, wreaking havoc on the maritime trade of Europe and America’s colonies and plundering ships and settlements far down into the Caribbean. And this is the story of his extraordinary life.

This was a time of cruel slavery in a bleak post-war world, when life was cheap and freedom was precious. At this precarious time, scores of rebellious mariners risked everything for wealth and adventure, and the elusive chance to live life on their own terms.   

The legend of one man survives from this bloody period. People still know the name, which continues to capture our imaginations, conjuring images of glorious conquests upon sky-blue tropical seas, surrounded by sea chests brimming with gleaming Spanish doubloons. 

He was the most infamous pirate of his times, despised and hunted by sovereigns and colonists, feared by society, and betrayed by his country and even his own crew, all the while boldly defying the laws of man. 

But who was this legend? Killer? Tyrant? Bloodthirsty freebooter? Brilliant mariner? Cowardly traitor? Loyal comrade? Inveterate drunkard?

His name was Edward Teach. History knows him as Blackbeard.

And this is the story of his extraordinary life