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Another admirable work from Benerson Little and this time he takes the focus to the other side of the coin with a in depth approach to the "pyrate" problem faced by powers and civilizations since antiquity.

What is fascinating is the down to earth ( or should i say to sea! ) presentation of each era solutions while completely avoiding a rationalization of contemporary knowledge and hindsight. Little takes us into a voyage to the time he portrays and presents with clarity the challenges faced by the ruling powers, same as the opportunities open to criminal sea rovers.

This is a important aspect, for me, as it places my mind onto the strategical/operational and tactical options when having to deal with pirates and free from modern pre-conceptions and tactical options outside the scope of what was available at the time, which is also a issue breaker because many things we take as modern... aren't.

There's a chronological sequence and a linkage between all - the hunt for pirates. From antiquity, and even before that with linkage between myth and recorded history mainly hellenic culture, mediterranean powers, passing through the dark ages sea raiders, medieval world and through the discovery age and grand age of sail up to modern days.

While "Sea Rover Practice" was very focused on the ship, crew and captain, Pirate Hunting is very much focused on tactics and operational logistics and how they worked and how they failed with the reasons behind them.

This is a must have if you are into age of sail subjects or pyracy subject as a whole. It is not a revisionist work, i really loathe those, but a factual analysis of pyracy and how established powers fought ( and fight ) them on the sea and on the land into their lairs.

I got myself the hard cover edition which is really good binding, old style,  with a beautiful illustration dust cover. The prices vary but is not a expensive acquisition.

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