---
product_id: 131104913
title: "Black Flags, Blue Waters: The Epic History of America's Most Notorious Pirates"
price: "KSh8175"
currency: KES
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.co.ke/products/131104913-black-flags-blue-waters-the-epic-history-of-americas-most
store_origin: KE
region: Kenya
---

# Black Flags, Blue Waters: The Epic History of America's Most Notorious Pirates

**Price:** KSh8175
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Black Flags, Blue Waters: The Epic History of America's Most Notorious Pirates
- **How much does it cost?** KSh8175 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.ke](https://www.desertcart.co.ke/products/131104913-black-flags-blue-waters-the-epic-history-of-americas-most)

## Best For

- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

Black Flags, Blue Waters: The Epic History of America's Most Notorious Pirates [Dolin, Eric Jay] on desertcart.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Black Flags, Blue Waters: The Epic History of America's Most Notorious Pirates

Review: Another Great Book from Dolin - As one who greatly enjoyed (and learned from) Eric Jay Dolin’s previous books on whaling (Leviathan), the American fur trade (Fur, Fortune, and Empire), lighthouses (Brilliant Beacons), and (especially) the China trade (When America First Met China), I have been looking forward to his new book on American piracy. Black Flags does not disappoint. Like many, my knowledge of pirates was based primarily on movies (Disney, Peter Pan, etc.) and works of fiction (Treasure Island, etc.). I knew very little about the “real story” of piracy and its role in Colonial American history. Black Flags provides a fascinating introduction to the growth and decline of the “piracy industry,” with a focus on its (often colorful) participants. The reader will learn about the not-so-glamorous, often violent, realities of the lives of those who were involved in this trade off the coast of America during the seventeenth and early eighteenth century. Dolin is a great story teller, with an ability to blend tales of individual pirates with an explanation of the reasons for the growth of piracy during the colonial era. He explains how and why piracy became a viable (though not always profitable) way of life for many, and the evolving attitudes about the role of pirates on American life. As a New England resident, I was surprised to learn about the amount of pirate activity in this region during the Colonial period, and the often symbiotic relationship between pirates, government officials, and the citizens of the American colonies. Black Flags is first rate scholarship, and Dolin is to be commended for his impressive research, given the lack of first-hand accounts of those involved in pirate activities. Unlike studies of whaling or naval history, pirates rarely (if ever) recorded their activities in logbooks or journals. The pirate industry certainly produced no Melville, no Richard Henry Dana, to provide an “inside look” at the daily life aboard pirate ships. Yet, the author has been able to put together a fascinating description of the lives of pirates – and the reasons for their involvement in the trade. Black Flags is richly illustrated throughout with copies of old prints and engravings of the people, places, and ships described in the text, along with numerous maps. In summary, Dolan’s book is a fascinating, entertaining look into the realities of a topic many know of – but typically know little about. Highly recommended!
Review: Good fun - Really fun read. I enjoyed it. Some chapter were kinda boring but I really liked all the stories and tales! Overall great book

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #40,824 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #8 in U.S. Colonial Period History #9 in Maritime History & Piracy (Books) #171 in U.S. State & Local History |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (2,200) |
| Dimensions  | 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.3 inches |
| ISBN-10  | 1631496220 |
| ISBN-13  | 978-1631496226 |
| Item Weight  | 12.8 ounces |
| Language  | English |
| Print length  | 416 pages |
| Publication date  | September 17, 2019 |
| Publisher  | Liveright |

## Images

![Black Flags, Blue Waters: The Epic History of America's Most Notorious Pirates - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91GlLR+Rb0L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Another Great Book from Dolin
*by J***D on November 18, 2018*

As one who greatly enjoyed (and learned from) Eric Jay Dolin’s previous books on whaling (Leviathan), the American fur trade (Fur, Fortune, and Empire), lighthouses (Brilliant Beacons), and (especially) the China trade (When America First Met China), I have been looking forward to his new book on American piracy. Black Flags does not disappoint. Like many, my knowledge of pirates was based primarily on movies (Disney, Peter Pan, etc.) and works of fiction (Treasure Island, etc.). I knew very little about the “real story” of piracy and its role in Colonial American history. Black Flags provides a fascinating introduction to the growth and decline of the “piracy industry,” with a focus on its (often colorful) participants. The reader will learn about the not-so-glamorous, often violent, realities of the lives of those who were involved in this trade off the coast of America during the seventeenth and early eighteenth century. Dolin is a great story teller, with an ability to blend tales of individual pirates with an explanation of the reasons for the growth of piracy during the colonial era. He explains how and why piracy became a viable (though not always profitable) way of life for many, and the evolving attitudes about the role of pirates on American life. As a New England resident, I was surprised to learn about the amount of pirate activity in this region during the Colonial period, and the often symbiotic relationship between pirates, government officials, and the citizens of the American colonies. Black Flags is first rate scholarship, and Dolin is to be commended for his impressive research, given the lack of first-hand accounts of those involved in pirate activities. Unlike studies of whaling or naval history, pirates rarely (if ever) recorded their activities in logbooks or journals. The pirate industry certainly produced no Melville, no Richard Henry Dana, to provide an “inside look” at the daily life aboard pirate ships. Yet, the author has been able to put together a fascinating description of the lives of pirates – and the reasons for their involvement in the trade. Black Flags is richly illustrated throughout with copies of old prints and engravings of the people, places, and ships described in the text, along with numerous maps. In summary, Dolan’s book is a fascinating, entertaining look into the realities of a topic many know of – but typically know little about. Highly recommended!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good fun
*by O***Y on July 28, 2025*

Really fun read. I enjoyed it. Some chapter were kinda boring but I really liked all the stories and tales! Overall great book

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fun gift
*by J***R on January 5, 2026*

Have as a gift and book is informative and good

---

## Why Shop on Desertcart?

- 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016
- 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories
- 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price
- 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members)
- 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection
- ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews

**Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.ke/products/131104913-black-flags-blue-waters-the-epic-history-of-americas-most](https://www.desertcart.co.ke/products/131104913-black-flags-blue-waters-the-epic-history-of-americas-most)

---

*Product available on Desertcart Kenya*
*Store origin: KE*
*Last updated: 2026-02-07*