I found this hardcover in this Little Free Library in Merrimack NH while dropping off some books of my own, and nabbed it for another release copy.

It's an account of the life and times of William Kidd, hanged for piracy in 1701 - but who may have been a privateer instead, sanctioned by the government. While it might be a bit disappointing to find that he wasn't the blood-and-thunder pirate of legend, the details of his story are interesting in themselves, and the book sheds light on many aspects of piracy in the 17th century. [It opens in a rather startling manner, with an account of a prisoner being ordered to strip so that the jailers could see whether he was circumcised - a key to his true identity. I guess you have to take your identifying scars where you can find them!]

Oh, and don't miss the cameo appearance of Elihu Yale, whose name now ornaments a rather well-known university {wry grin}. I had no idea his path ever crossed those of pirates, but apparently it did, however briefly...

I left this book in this charming cat-themed Little Free Library - where I found a softcover edition of the same book already there! So I dropped off my copy and nabbed that one to register and release in my own LFL.

Hope someone enjoys the book!

[See other recent releases in MA here.]

Released for:

** 2024 You're Such an Animal challenge, for the embedded "rat" in the title **

** 2024 Talk Like a Pirate challenge **