The Pirate Queen: In Search of Grace O'Malley and Other Legendary Women of the Sea - Softcover

Sjoholm, Barbara

Softcover

ISBN 10: 158005109X ISBN 13: 9781580051095

Publisher: Seal Press, 2004

Synopsis

The Pirate Queen begins in Ireland with the infamous Grace O’Malley, a ruthless pirate and scourge to the most powerful fleets of sixteenth-century Europe. This Irish clan chieftain, sea captain, and pirate queen was a contemporary of Elizabeth I, a figure whose life is the stuff of myth. Regularly raiding English ships caught off Ireland’s west coast, O’Malley was purported to have fought the Spanish armada just hours after giving birth to her son. She had several husbands in her lifetime, and acquired lands and castles that still dot the Irish coastline today.

But Grace O’Malley was not alone. Since ancient times, women have rowed and sailed, commanded and fished, built boats and owned fleets. As pirate, captain’s wives, lighthouse keepers and sailors in disguise they’ve explored coastlines and set off alone across unknown seas. Yet their incredible contributions have been nearly erased from the history books. In The Pirate Queen, Barbara Sjoholm brings some of these extraordinary women back to life, taking the reader on an unforgettable journey from the wild Irish coast to the haunting Scandinavian fjords in this meticulously researched, colorfully written, and truly original work

About this title

Review:

Appeals to a broad range of readers, particularly those who are interested in reclaiming the lost history of women's contributions. -- Foreword magazine

Barbara Sjoholm is a skilled and stylish writer . . . I fell for her, hook, line, and sinker from the first page. -- Bitch magazine

Sjoholm brings to life many remarkable stories of maritime women in this fascinating book. -- The Oregonian

Sjoholm's imagination is so fertile she takes on new personas during her journey. -- The Seattle Times

[Sjoholm's] description of land and seascapes are rhapsodie and vivid, and her evocation of people is uncanny. -- Bremerton Sun

About this edition

• Publisher: Seal Press
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 158005109X
• ISBN 13: 9781580051095
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384