Monday, March 5, 2018

BlackBeard by Samuel Marquis - Review










Author: Samuel Marquis
Publication Date:  6 February 2018
Publisher: Mount Sopris Publishing
Series:  Standalone
Genre: Historical Fiction 
Age Recommendation: 17 and Up
Rating: 4 Stars

~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~ 


Book Description:

“Blackbeard: The Birth of America” is the true story of Edward Thache—former British Navy seaman and notorious privateer-turned-pirate, who lorded over the Atlantic seaboard and Caribbean during theGolden Age of Piracy. A Robin-Hood-like American patriot and the most famous freebooter of all time, Blackbeard was illegally hunted down by Virginia Governor Alexander Spotswood, the British Crown’s man in Williamsburg obsessed with his capture. Based on reliable
historical records and the latest research, this adventure tale illuminates the true man behind the myth and his doggedly determined pursuer, revealing a cat-and-mouse game and important historical figure lost to us in a “fog of legend, myth and propaganda” for three hundred years. A folk hero in his own
lifetime, Blackbeard exploded onto the scene during the birth of America and was one of the first
American revolutionaries in the War of Independence against British rule.



My Review:

An interesting and refreshing take on one of America's most beloved 18th century characters.  Drawing on historical evidence Mr. Marquis takes the idea of the swashbuckling, raiding, rebel, hard drinking and hard living idea of Blackbeard and turns him into an average (well, maybe not quite average) man with a family to protect, a good woman he loves, and a country that he wants to save from the true scoundrels of 18th Century America, those loyal to the British Empire, in particular one Virginia Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spostswood.  

I have to say for meet was really fun getting this look at Blackbeard, who hung around with one of my ancestors, Captain Sam Bellamy, better known as Black Sam and because a good portion of the book occurs in Williamsburg, VA where I currently live.  I am now ready to go explore all the places along D.O.G. Street and through out Williamsburg with new eyes.  While the rest of you can't do that I will tell you that Mr. Marquis does do a wonderful job presenting the setting for you so that you have a clear picture in your head.  On that note I did find Blackbeard to be almost too descriptive.  While I like a less heavily detailed book I know it will appeal to many others and even if you aren't overly found of lots of information and details don't let this turn you away from what is really a great pirate book.  

It is interesting to me how in the end you may have a different opinion on who Blackbeard was I can say that I am not sure you will walk away seeing anyone in this book as either a hero or a villain.  This is an interesting look at how two men and the choices they were given leave to make, shaped America as we know it now.  It is intriguing to think that our country was not just founded and shaped by the likes of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, et al. But men like Blackbeard, the Gentleman Pirate, Black Sam, and The Flying Gang.  How one sunken ship laden with treasure changed the course of history for both good and bad and how perhaps the pirates of our history were less pirate and more patriot than you could have ever imagined.  



~ HAPPY READING ~ 



The ninth great-grandson of legendary privateer Captain William Kidd, Samuel Marquis is the bestselling, award-winning author of historical pirate fiction, a World War Two Series, and the Nick Lassiter-Skyler International Espionage Series. His novels have been #1 Denver Post bestsellers, received multiple national book awards (Foreword Reviews Book of the Year, American Book Fest Best Book, USA Best Book, Beverly Hills, Next Generation Indie, Colorado Book Awards), and garnered glowing reviews from #1 bestseller James Patterson, Kirkus, and Foreword Reviews (5 Stars). Book reviewers have compared Marquis’s WWII thrillers Bodyguard of Deception and Altar of Resistance to the epic historical novels of Tom Clancy, John le Carré, Ken Follett, Herman Wouk, Daniel Silva, and Alan Furst. Mr. Marquis’s newest historical fiction novel, Blackbeard: The Birth of America, commemorates the 300th anniversary of Blackbeard’s death. 
His website is www.samuelmarquisbooks.com and for publicity inquiries, please contact JKS Communications at info@jkscommunications.com.

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