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MWSA Review
The Resurrected Pirate: The Life, Death, and Subsequent Career of the Notorious George Lowther by Craig S. Chapman details the life and times of British Royal Navy seaman George Lowther from 1715 through his death as a lieutenant in the British Royal Navy in 1746. Lowther’s life ebbs and flows like the sea he committed his life to, with escapades including mutiny from the Royal African Company involved in slave trading to becoming a swashbuckling pirate across the high seas. The author’s well-researched work sheds light on Lowther’s reactions to his surroundings, perceived necessity for the mutiny to save his men, and his unlikely pardon and acceptance back into the naval service he abandoned.
The book is about far more than George Lowther; it is a treatise on piracy in the eighteenth century. Readers learn of the barbaric acts of pirates at the time including slicing off body parts, setting foes on fire, and the extreme fear pirates instilled in their prey. George Lowther is compared to other pirates of the time, some of whom he teamed up with to save himself and his crew in particular circumstances. Chapman describes the others as far more nefarious than Lowther and almost portrays him as a victim of his circumstances.
In the Prologue, the author explains the following: “This book preserves the vocabulary and jargon of British tars from the age of sail, not just for accuracy but also to establish the atmosphere of being on the deck of Lowther’s pirate sloop as he trolls the sea lanes and bears down on his prey.” The authenticity of the language set a tone and put the reader in the place and times of the setting. The illustrations throughout also played an active role in helping set the scene.
I would highly recommend this book for historians and fans of the real-life pirates of the Caribbean who want to read about an interesting time in history and a fascinating individual who committed heinous crimes and ended up being redeemed by his country in an unusual twist of fate.
Review by Valerie Ormond
Author's Synopsis
The Resurrected Pirate reveals the astonishing life story of George Lowther, the most singular buccaneer from piracy’s golden age. This book explores his motivations, mistakes, tactics, and leadership as he trolls for victims and chases down his prey. Based on meticulous research, Lowther’s years ravaging the Caribbean and North Atlantic provide insight into the sordid lives of sea bandits. The brutality of the age comes into focus as he and his partners inflict robberies, torment and sometimes murder, culminating in their own deaths by violence, hangings, and Lowther’s supposed suicide in 1723. A stunning revelation adds a whole new chapter to his story. Lowther later re-emerges from a contented civilian life to help Britain in time of war and thereby restore his reputation. Commissioned in the Royal Navy, Lieutenant Lowther throws himself into capturing part of Spain’s empire in a dramatic quest for redemption.
Format(s) for review: Paper Only
Review genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography
Pages/Word count: 240 / 90,000