A Pirate's Life for She by Laura Sook Duncombe

From the Publisher: Pirates are a perennially popular subject, depicted often in songs, stories, and Halloween costumes. Yet the truth about pirates—who they were, why they went to sea, and what their lives were really like—is seldom a part of the conversation. In this Seven Seas history of the world's female buccaneers, A Pirate's Life for She tells the story of 16 women who through the ages sailed alongside—and sometimes in command of—their male counterparts. These women came from all walks of life but had one thing in common: a desire for freedom. History has largely ignored these female swashbucklers, until now. Here are their stories, from ancient Norse princess Alfhild to Sayyida al-Hurra of the Barbary corsairs; from Grace O'Malley, who terrorized shipping operations around the British Isles during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I; to Cheng I Sao, who commanded a fleet of 1,400 ships off China in the early 19th century.

A Pirate's Life for She is a collection of tales about women from around the world who turned to piracy in one form or another. The women whose tales are told here come from all over the world and all walks of life: from ancient Greece to Australia, from prisoners to soldiers to queens.

Each pirate's tale is presented in short, easily digestible chapters, so the book is easy to pick up and put down. Some of these women such as the famous Caribbean pirates Mary Read and Anne Bonny, have fairly well-known histories, whereas others like 8th century Goth princess Alfhild are surrounded by conflicting tales with few primary sources. In each case, Duncombe states what sources historians have for learning about these pirates, and clearly labels conflicting stories and speculation separately from more established history. Each chapter also contains suggested books for further reading.

Readers will find a wealth of information about women from all walks of life, whose pirate careers are as varied as their origins. Some turned to piracy seeking freedom, such as Charlotte Badger, who escaped a life of near-slavery in British Australia. Others, such as Jeanne de Clisson, sought revenge against those who had wronged them. Still others sought fame, fortune, or just a way to stay out of debtor's prison. The author makes each of their stories real and is careful to separate fact from fiction and speculation.

This book makes for accessible reading for both teens and adults, and is recommended for anyone with an interest in pirates or history, and anyone looking for a quick book to read in between other tasks. A Pirate's Life for She is available in Galesburg Public Library's Young Adult collection.