PIRATE WOMEN — THE PRINCESSES, PROSTITUTES, AND PRIVATEERS WHO RULED THE SEVEN SEAS

In the inaugural extensive survey of the world’s female pirates, "Pirate Women" recounts the tales of both historical and mythical women who, throughout history, sailed alongside—and at times led—their male peers. These women hailed from diverse backgrounds but shared a common aspiration: the pursuit of freedom. For a long time, history has overlooked these female adventurers, until now.

Their narratives span from ancient Norse warriors such as Awilda, Stikla, and Rusla; to Sayyida al-Hurra of the Barbary corsairs; from Grace O’Malley, who instilled fear in shipping operations around the British Isles; to Cheng I Sao, who commanded a fleet of 400 vessels off the coast of China in the early 19th century. Author Laura Sook Duncombe also delves into the perspectives of the storytellers and myth creators.

What biases and motivations influenced them? What aspects did they omit? "Pirate Women" investigates the reasons and methods behind the narration and transmission of these stories, as well as how history is shaped by those who document it. This work represents the most comprehensive collection of women pirates in a single volume, brimming with thrilling adventures. In this book, the stories of pirate women are brought from obscurity into the deserving limelight.