THE PIRATES' PACT focuses on the connections between colonial governors and the pirates who plagued the east coast of North America during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Burgess states that piracy could not have flourished to such an extent without the active support of governors throughout colonial America and the Caribbean. He approaches the subject from a judicial standpoint as he discusses the systems of sponsorship the colonial governors built up around the most famous pirates of the day.

It's interesting stuff, and Burgess has certainly done his research. He's made ample use of his primary sources, and often quotes directly from the papers at his disposal, including privateering commissions and private correspondence, to bolster his claims. He also brings in many points of law, drawn directly from the courts of the time and heavily informed by his own knowledge of the subject. The result is a detailed, informative piece of research.

But, as is so often the case with academic texts, it's not entirely readable. It's very fact-heavy, and Burgess displays little love for or interest in the material. (I mean, of course he's interested in it - in fact, he's considered one of the world's foremost authorities on piracy - but it doesn't show). It's often dry, and sometimes reads like a simple collection of facts. This governor did this, then that governor did that, then a pirate did something else entirely. Then another governor came along...

That's not to say that the book isn't worthwhile. If you need information about the role sponsorship and judicial process played in seventeenth century piracy, you want a copy of this book. You can bet I'm keeping mine. If you're looking for a piece of engaging nonfiction, however, you'd do better to look elsewhere.

(This review originally appeared on my blog, Stella Matutina. Review copy provided by the publisher). ( )