Pirates: A New History, from Vikings to Somali Raiders - Hardcover

Lehr, Peter

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0300180748 ISBN 13: 9780300180749

Publisher: Yale University Press, 2019

Synopsis

A global account of pirates and their modus operandi from the middle ages to the present day

In the twenty-first century piracy has regained a central place in Western culture, thanks to a surprising combination of Johnny Depp and the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise as well as the dramatic rise of modern-day piracy around Somalia and the Horn of Africa.

In this global history of the phenomenon, maritime terrorism and piracy expert Peter Lehr casts fresh light on pirates. Ranging from the Vikings and Wako pirates in the Middle Ages to modern day Somali pirates, Lehr delves deep into what motivates pirates and how they operate. He also illuminates the state’s role in the development of piracy throughout history: from privateers sanctioned by Queen Elizabeth to pirates operating off the coast of Africa taking the law into their own hands. After exploring the structural failures which create fertile ground for pirate activities, Lehr evaluates the success of counter-piracy efforts—and the reasons behind its failures.

About this title

Book Description:

In this global history of piracy, maritime terrorism and piracy expert Peter Lehr casts fresh light on the pirate. Ranging from the Vikings and Wako pirates in the Middle Ages to modern day Somali pirates, Lehr delves deep into what motivates pirates and how they operate.

About the Author:

Peter Lehr is a lecturer in terrorism studies at the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. He is the author of Counter-Terrorism Technologies and editor of Violence at Sea: Piracy in the Age of Global Terrorism. He lives in Fife, Scotland.

About this edition

• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 0300180748
• ISBN 13: 9780300180749
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 272