5 comments about The Lost Fleet: The Discovery of a Sunken Armada from the Golden Age of Piracy.

1. Another book by the "archeological privateer" Barry Clifford, the oceanic excavator who found the wreck of Black Sam Bellamy's ship the Whydah in the sands off Cape Cod. His writing has improved since he wrote "Expedition Whydah," though he's still not a master with words. No matter, his subjects are always facinating enough I don't mind that the prose can be a bit clunky.

   This one traces his team's discovery and exploration (underwritten by Max Kennedy, the BBC, and the Discovery Channel) of a wreck of an entire fleet of ships--5 French warships and two pirate ships the French fleet hired to assist them in warfare--on the reef of Los Aves off the coast of Venezuela. In a similar vein to the Whydah book, Clifford intersperses his text with photographs, maps, and drawings, and alternates the story of his expedition with history about the pirates involved in the wrecks.

   In this case, he does the opposite of the Whydah story (which traced Sam Bellamy's rise to captainship and followed him until his demise), and instead follows the lives of the documented pirates who *survived* the massive wreck at Los Aves, among them a famous and ridiculously lucky mulatto captain named Laurens de Graff, and a New England pirate named Thomas Paine who later went on to return to his home and established himself as a powerful and corrupt politician (not the same Thomas Paine that wrote the "Common Sense" political publication, this was a few decades earlier). The historical portions of the text offer a lot of great insight into the piratical/buccanneer climate (political, economical, etc) of the mid- to late-17th c. in the Caribbean and Spanish Main.

   Most interesting is the existance of a period map he brought with him, drawn by the leader of the shipwrecked fleet from shore where he survived the wreckage, outlining the positions of each wreck and labelling them by name--his accuracy was apparently quite high, so it functioned like a literal 'treasure map,' showing the explorers exactly where they would find the wrecks of which ships! There's not as much info on artifacts in this one, since they merely mapped and filmed the wrecks and haven't excavated yet (unknown if they will, in fact, due to most of the wreckage having become an integral part of the ecosystem of the reef by now), but there's a lot of really new discoveries on the research front (pub date on this is 2002) about the various pirates involved, most of whom are lesser known names (as opposed to the more "famous" pirates like Blackbeard and Captain Kidd, who came later...these were the pirates operating on the cusp of the Golden Age of Piracy).

   So, if you want to read some detailed info about pirate captains of the pre-1700 era, this is a good book to check out!




2. Barry Clifford has put together an entertaining book that tells two stories linked across 300 years by a maritime disaster that drastically altered the fate of the Caribbean. He interleaves the stories in a successful effort to provide tension and suspense, keeping the reader interested throughout the book.

   The first story is a narrative of the underwater exploration of the site of the wreck of Jean Comte d'Estrées fleet off Las Aves island. He details the interpersonal relationships and trials of gaining approval to explore the wrecks in foreign waters. While I am not very interested in underwater archeology, Clifford made these segments entertaining and very readable.

   For my interest, the other thread of the book was the real meat. Barry Clifford provides a detailed history of several of the major figures from the beginning of the Golden Age of Piracy, specifically 1678 to about 1700. He provides a good deal of information on the Chevalier de Grammont, de Graf, Thomas Paine (not the author of Common Sense) and Nikolaas Van Hoorn. Clifford recounts the many sackings of towns, and interactions with local governments, including the changing attitudes as the years wore on.

   Overall, I found this to be an entertaining and informative read. I may have to look into finding copies of his other books. For more information on piracy in the Caribbean (from the Spanish viewpoint) try Pirates in the Caribbean :1493-1720 by Cruz Apestegui. P-)




3. An entertaining and educational effort combining modern day treasure hunting with events from the piratical days of the late 1600's. Clifford and his crew search out and locate the nearly forgotten shipwreck of the 1678 French fleet to conquer the Dutch at a little unknown island by the name of Las Aves, off the coast of Venezuela.
   The author blends the history of this rough and defiant time period with the modern day struggles he encounters in finding and obtaining permission to fulfill his explorations.
   There is much to be learned about these forgotten pirates of the past and the lives they lived. Names such as Jean Compte d'Estrees, Laurens de Graff, Thomas Paine, Chevalier de Grammont, Nikolass Van Hoorn and others deserve the recognition Clifford attributes to them.
   The intermittent flip-flopping back and forth from past to present and visa-versa may be somewhat hampering for a few, but still a good book. Makes you want to read more of this freebooter time period.



4. I first picked up this book several years ago but just recently got around to reading it. Some books on history can really be dull and seem to drag on and you just want to finish the book to move on to something better. This is not one of those books. From the very first pages, you are given a vivid description of the late 17th century and all the characters involved.
   
   Clifford does not go into overwhelming detail like some historians can do in their books but that may be because Clifford is not an academic historian in the sense. Clifford is himself a diver; someone who goes out and finds history and the excitement that he gets when he goes out on an expedition is brought to the pages of this book.
   
   Clifford gives a brief background of the Caribbean and the feuding European powers involved in the domination of the New World. It is just enough information for a layman to be brought up to speed but it is also detailed enough for an avid student of history to still learn something. He then intermixes the story of the lost fleet with his own expedition which had it's own problems. Some might find this distracting but I found it interesting.
   
   The main premise Clifford makes in the book is that this great destruction of the French fleet in conjunction with the assembling of a great pirate fleet is what sparked the Golden Age of Piracy. Furthermore he asserts that this is what ultimately marked the end of French dominance. I am not well enough versed in history of this specific time period but I do find his assertions interesting and with merit.
   
   The book has many pictures of the expedition and prints of the places, people and events described within. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves history, pirates, the Caribbean, or diving.



5. In this book you learn a lot about piracy. This crew is dedicated to find a sunken armada in the coast of Venezuela, and through out their own expedition to do so, the author teaches us a lot of pirates on the golden age of bucaneering in the Caribean. They run into all kinds of trouble, from bad weather during their dives, to government obstacles. I had a hard time dealing with Charles Brewer's involvement in the project, as well as his personality and way of thinking. He's way to arrogant and annoying for me. Other than that it's a good book.
   
   And if you want to learn more about pirates I strongly recommend - Under the Black Flag: The Romance and the Reality of Life Among the Pirates by David Cordingly.

No comments about Turks & Caicos (Bradt Travel Guide).

No comments about Golden Treasures Of San Juan.

No comments about Dive the Bahamas (Interlink Dive Guide).

2 comments about Adventure Guide to Jamaica (Adventure Guide to Jamaica) (Adventure Guide to Jamaica).

1. "[The authors] are known for their attention to details." Chicago Daily Herald



2. This travel guide walks with the adventurous traveler to the heart of Jamaica, to the miles of sand beaches, to the rugged Blue Mountains, to the country villages that provide a peek at the real Jamaica. The authors focus on the adventures this island has to offer: scuba diving along coral reefs, biking mountain trails, deep sea fishing, parasailing, windsurfing, horseback riding, and other adventures that range from mild to wild.

   Special sections include a look at Jamaica's Meet the People program, home visits, local nightspots, festivals, and more.

2 comments about Fodor's Pocket Aruba, 3rd Editon (Pocket Guides).

1. This book is short and to the point of helpful information. My family has used it multiple times for vacations to Aruba and it has been helpful for each vacation. The information is accurate and concise in its description of the island.



2. We found Fodor's and Frommer's travel books to possess the best of information on Aruba. My husband Alan stated he didn't feel like a novice coming into this lovely tropical paradise thanks to these guides.
   
   The books were pretty right on when it came to restaurant prices, only a few had varied their charges. One restaurant was a nice surprise as we were expecting to pay twice as much.
   
   To add to the information, besides the buses running to the capital city of Oranjestad, they also have $1.00 taxis and these vans function well when you don't want to wait for the next bus. Oranjestad is a must visit for shopping, eating and touring.
   
   The books also didn't include the native poverty that exists beyond the resorts and touring areas. Few Arubans own a decent hacienda. This was a shock to my husband and me as we were expecting to see average living styles.

3 comments about Tropical Shipwrecks: A Vacationing Diver's Guide to the Bahamas and Caribbean.

1. I have read almost all of the Bergs books and those penned by Daniel Berg solo. The Bergs are well known wreck divers. The book has many really exellent photos and hits most of the highlights of Island wreck diving. It is broken down by Islands and gives a little blurb about history and conditions for each wreck. What the book lacks are, the exact locations of the wrecks and the accessability, e.g. shore dive, dive charter, 1 hr. trip or 2 hr. trip? A good photo book to get psyched up for your vacation.



2. This book had some nice photos and did include a bit of information on the wrecks and dive sites, but is definitely not a book for a serious wreck diver. For example, no information is given on the locations of the wrecks so anyone interested in seeing the wrecks is forced to find a local dive operation. Since most local dive trips cater to casual, recreational divers who normally follow the recommendations of the operator and have little input on the destination anyway one wonders about the usefulness or potential audience for this book.



3. In recent weeks I have become most concerned about 2 books by Capt. Dan Berg because the content simply does not match their titles.
   
   I have been an active diver for well over 30 years and am regarded as something of a shipwreck authority within the UK. In short, I study and then write about shipwrecks for a living. I do not, however, claim to know anything about any shipwreck - anywhere in the world, which I have not studied in great detail. Sadly, the modern shipwreck diver is being openly ripped off by so-called authors who get into print without checking every single fact before so doing.
   
   The work of this author is full of factual, grammatical and other errors. Even the names given to several species of fish are simply wrong.
   
   Any person purchasing a book with the title; "Tropical Shipwrecks: A Vacationing Diver's Guide to the Bahamas and Caribbean," would expect to learn far more than is provided by this so-called author. Truth is, he appears to have rushed into print with a little information picked up from somebody who heard it from someone else who got the whole story from yet another person.
   
   Instead of using this product as an opportunity to "teach" the vulnerable diver (i.e. the diver who is hungry for information) something about the subject, Mr Berg has revealed his complete lack of knowledge by simply repeating false details which may have been published elsewhere. I would suggest Mr Berg's time would have been better spent in learning something about the basic fundamentals of shipwreck research.
   
   NM

3 comments about Belize : Land of the Free by the Carib Sea.

1. A few months ago I visited Belize with my mom and we had a super great time. It is the most beautiful rainforest and the ocean reef is one of the biggest in the world. The book Belize shows all the natural beauty of the country as well as the many cultural groups including Mayan Indians, Creole, and Garifuna people which is a new culture formed of the mixture of African and American Indian people. The book Belize is full of beautiful color photographs and really gives you a good idea of what the country is like.



2. BELIZE: LAND OF THE FREE BY THE CARIB SEA by Thor Janson is without question one of the most beautiful photographic books I own. I have not visited Belize yet but as I look at the stunning images in Janson's book It has me dreaming of a mid-winter get away to this little country flanked by the Caribbean Sea. The book includes an excellent introductory text which takes the reader all the way from pre-historic times up to the present day and describes in detail all the different cultural groups which make up the rich fabric of contemporary Belezian society. The bulk of the book is comprised of photo layouts including extraordinary shots of wild animals such as jaguars and manatees, ancient Mayan ruins, cultural events (such as the wild Belize City carnaval), peaceful rural scenes, beautiful children, rainforests, savannahs, and pine forests, and plenty of charming, happy, smiling faces giving the impression that Belize must be a very warm, inviting place to visit, indeed. A picture is worth a thousand words, they say, and this excellent book by Thor Janson contains more than 150 extraordinary photos which combined give the reader a real "feel" of what life is like in the diminutive, peaceful nation of Belize.



3. I bought it for my boyfriend who is from Belize and he loved it. Beautiful pictures.

2 comments about Anguilla: Tranquil Isle of the Caribbean (Macmillan Caribbean Guides).

1. not many travel books out there for Anguilla....this one was worth the purchase...provides some historical info



2. This book is informative and charming contaning lots of inside knowledge going beyond a standard guidebook. It also has so many beautiful and relevant pictures. It is small and sweet - like the island itself!

3 comments about Fodor's Caribbean 2007 (Fodor's Gold Guides).

1. I am a big supporter of the Fodor's books - for my money, they are the only travel guides you need. Fodor's Caribbean is a good case in point. This book is for two kinds of travelers: those who already know what island they are going to, and those who want to go to the Caribbean, but are unsure which island(s) to visit.
   
   If you don't know exactly where you want to go, Fodor's will give you the rundown. The "What's Where" section has a map of all the islands and a brief description of each one. Fodor's always addresses issues of cost, atmosphere, and what type of vacationer comes to the island. Next, you have the "Island Finder" - a chart with each island rated in each category, such as "Beautiful Beaches" and "Fine Dining." This is followed by the "If You Like" section, which rates the best in each category. Then there is the "Calendar" telling you when to go and what events happen when.
   
   If you know where you want to go, Fodor's has each of the islands (or island clusters) listed separately. Each entry begins with a few pictures, a map, a brief essay, and everything you could possibly want to know about the island (where to eat, where to stay, what to do) broken down into an easy-to-read format.
   
   IF YOU OWN A PREVIOUS VERSION. I had the 2005 version of this book. It's true, there are changes. The book is physically smaller this year, although there are actually MORE pages (maybe they use a smaller font?). It is organized somewhat differently: the "Smart Travel Tips" section is at the end (not the beginning) which had me fearing they'd done away with it. There are more pictures in this version. However, I've only noticed a few changes in terms of content - an extra hotel or restaurant here or there. If you own last year's book, you may be able to slide by without getting a new one.



2. This is book #2 of the caribbean that I have purchased, it has great info on where to go, what to see and not spend a fortune. When traveling especially by cruise ship, your time is limited and you want to see all you can without spending it all! Very informative...



3. excellent review, easy to use. breaks down various types of vacations to the Caribbean, such as emphasis on water sports, site seeing, etc.