Book excerpt: Pirate lore has captured our fancy for centuries. From Treasure Islandto the bestselling novels of Patrick O'Brien and his pirate hunts, to the blockbuster film Pirates of the Caribbean, the appetite for pirates and their colourful history continues to grow. Hundreds of societies in U.S. ports re-enact famous pirate battles, web sites sell all manner of pirate paraphernalia and antiques, and chat rooms draw enthusiasts both young and not so young. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Piratesis the first and only series book that gives readers a comprehensive, authoritative, yet entertaining history of those swashbuckling brigands on the high seas. Complete with illustrations of ships, weapons, and booty, it offers contemporary portraits of such infamous men and women as Captain Edward "Blackbeard" Teach, Captain Anne Bonny, Captain William Kidd, and Jean LaFitte.