Did I tell you about Pirate Latitudes yet? I don;t think I did, I'm sorry. Pirate Latitudes is a book by Micheal Crichton, one of the manuscripts found after his death. It was published in late 2009 and I found a copy of it in 2010 at the library that I occasionally patronize with my mother. I gave it back a couple of weeks ago, but that dosen't mean that I can't still tell you about it.
Set in 1665 in the Colony of Jamaica, the Governor of Jamaica, Sir James Almont awakes to another hot, muggy day in Port Royal, the capital of the colony. He attends a hanging, followed by the arrival of a ship from England. On it is Robert Hacklett, his new secretary, his promiscuous wife with whom he has a spectacular fight later on in the book, and a number of criminal women meant to be wives for the colonists. One of them, Anne Sharpe, who was convicted of witchcraft is taken Almont's home to be a servant. From her Almont finds that there is a Spanish warship loaded with treasure not far away. Determined to rob the Spanish of their treasure, he immediately hires Captain Charles Hunter, a Harvard educated privateer to raid the ship.
Hunter puts together a colorful crew, Don Diego the Jew, a tinkerer and explosives expert who lost his son the the Spanish Inquisition and wouldn't mind revenge; Sanson, an assassin with a very high voice; Lazue, woman raised as a man living as a man who has superior vision, excellent marksmanship, excellent sailing skills, and the ability to confuse her opponents by showing them her breasts; Enders, a master helmsmen; and Bassa, aka the Moor, a mute who cut out his tongue, killed his wife, came to Port Royal to make a living and is the image of power and intimidation. Mere days into their journey they are caputed by a Spanish Warship commandeered by Cazella, the commander of Mantanceros, which they hope to raid, and manage to escape him.
They manage to reach Mantanceros and after a struggle to enter the fortress capture the galleon and kill Cazella. On their way back they are pursued by Bosquet, Cazella's second in command. they narrowly escape and after a dew says succeed in evading their pursuers. Then on their way home they are attacked by the Kraken, which they are able to mortally wound. Finally they reach Port Royal only to have Hunter arrested as a pirate and sentenced to be hanged. Iwon't give away the ending, but it really is thrilling.
Yes, I liked the book.
Spring training has started and that makes me happy. Supposed to snow soon though.
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2 comments:
I like history books (I guess I already told that)... Do you know that in Jamaica they only accept tips and alms on their local money? A friend of mine that is doing his doctor degree at Geinsville traveled there and tried to give a tip in american dollar. He was surprised that they don't accepted... Good training! Hugs!
My uncle paints... I would like to try it some day, but I guess my first painting will more look like a children draw =P
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