Born To Be Hanged: The Epic Story of Gentleman Pirates Who Raided the South Seas, Rescued a Princess, and Stole a Fortune

Thriller writer Thomson (Seven Grams of Lead) turns to nonfiction in this fun and entertaining listen featuring Feodor Chin’s excellent narration. Chin has an amazingly clear and theatrical voice, which makes these historical figures’ adventures seem even more wild and hilarious. The book has nonstop action from start to finish, like a summer blockbuster; even the bits of historical context are kept concise, while still being informative. One can definitely see how these buccaneers embodied the spirit of the “golden age of piracy,” embracing the freedom that a life of pirating offered. They were adventurous, quick-thinking, adaptable, and rarely hesitant to seize opportunities—often quite literally. Some of the facts and details about these men’s lives may not come as a surprise to readers who are familiar with pirate history, but this telling offers a new twist.