The Pirate Primer: Mastering the Language of Swashbucklers & Rogues
by George Choundas
List Price:
Our Price: $3.07
You Save: $16.92 (85%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $2.70 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: George ChoundasEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-03-29
ISBN: 1582974896
Number of pages: 480
Publisher: Writers Digest Books
Book Reviews of The Pirate Primer: Mastering the Language of Swashbucklers & Rogues
Book Review: Ye'll be a bold scug to say no to the Primer
Summary: 5 Stars
George Choundas and the folks at Writers Digest Books have published a handsomely bound book that should grace your pirate library. The look and feel of this book is absolutely fabulous. I'm sure some will wait for a soft cover edition to be printed but if you are one of them you will miss out on one of the joys of this book. The illustrations on the end pages and quality of the paper used for the interior pages make this hard bound first edition a must. If this book comes out in soft cover, it will be impossible to duplicate this fine workmanship.
As the subtitle of the Pirate Primer suggest, the book deals with the language of pirates. However, in discovering the language; you do learn something of the pirate life, both in fact and fiction. Choundas does not limit himself to the language of actual pirates but tackles the language as presented in works of literature, motion picture and television. In every case, the author states the word or phrase, provides a short definition and then provides an example of how the word or phrase is used. Choundas provides a citation for the examples which inform the reader of where they came from.
The book does not stop there. It also includes an entire chapter on the most famous pirate word uttered; that being "arrrgh!" It will come as no surprise to most pirate enthusiasts that are smart as paint that real pirates didn't say "arrrgh!"
The book also includes a lexicon of nautical terms that are sure to please anyone who has ever tried to read a seafaring book. You'll also get a section on food, drink, weapons and women.
If this isn't enough, you'll learn a hundreds of ways to greet your fellow pirate, bid the same adieu, and curse or compliment him/her.
And like a late night TV ad, I have to say "But wait, there's more." The book goes into great detail on how to form a pirate sentence, the use of adverbs and adjectives, positioning verbs, the use of transitive verbs, and other grammar rules as they apply to pirates Choundas actually covers the language as an English teacher would but the difference is you'll actually enjoy this textbook.
Did I mention the collection of Ship's Articles at the end of the book? Yep! You even get ship's articles with the Primer.
All in all, the entire book is a joy to read and joy to look at. Probably the only drawback is the lack of pictures. (That, and Choundas doesn't include any quotes from the movie The Black Swan) But let's face it; most of the pictures found in pirate books tend to be the same ones found everywhere else. In closing, not only will this book get you ready for the next Talk Like a Pirate Day, it will also make you want to rewatch all those old pirate movies and perhaps buy a pirate novel you haven't already read. The book will also act as a handy reference tool for the aspiring pirate author or acotr. Aye matey, This be your book if a pirate you must be.
Tobias Gibson
Summary of The Pirate Primer: Mastering the Language of Swashbucklers & Rogues
Ebbry-blastin'-theng ye needs must know-oo to lay tongue liker aargh-thentic pirate, by the devil's twisted tail.
Take a tour through the world of piracy with the only authoritative work on the pirate language. A comprehensive course in pirate vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and syntax, The Pirate Primer contains three centuries of distinctive terms and usages uttered by (and attributed to) pirates in film, TV, literature, and history.
Discover more than 100 pages of threats, curses, oaths, insults, and epithets; 31 types of pirate drink; 60 different pirate terms for "woman"; 67 kinds of pirate torture and punishment; 44 distinct definitions of "aargh"; and more.
Each entry in the Primer is accompanied by an excerpt, so you can see the words and phrases used in proper context by actual pirates. And each linguistic concept is introduced by a related anecdote or narrative account, so you can live the language while you learn it.
Whether you're simply fascinated by the culture of the Brethren of the Coast or you fancy yourself a modern-day corsair, The Pirate Primer is your guide to authentic pirate speak. Should you ever stare down Davy Jones and he demands proof that you're one who flies no flag, despair not.
You'll be able to talk the talk, and no mistake.
Humor Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Humor Books
Snuffby Chuck Palahniuk
Anchor; Published: 2009-04-07; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.99
Price in other shops:
Don't Eat This Bookby Morgan Spurlock
Penguin Audio; Published: 2005-05-19; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $4.59
Price in other shops:
I Hope They Serve Beer in Hellby Tucker Max
Penguin; Published: 2006; Paperback; Book
The Saber-Tooth Curriculumby J.Abner Peddiwell
Mcgraw-Hill; Published: 1959-06-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.00
Miss Americaby Howard Stern
It Books; Published: 2010-08-24; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.71
Price in other shops:
101 Places Not to See Before You Dieby Catherine Price
Harper Perennial; Published: 2010-06-22; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.49
Price in other shops:
My Life and Hard Times (Perennial Classics)by James Thurber
Harper Perennial Modern Classics; Published: 1999-10-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.75
Price in other shops:
Equal Rites: A Discworld Novel (Discworld Novels)by Terry Pratchett
Harper Perennial; Published: 2005-09-13; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.22
Price in other shops:
Mirth of a Nation: Audio Companion, Fellow Traveler and Friend for Life--Laff Tracks From America's Most Trusted Humor Anthologyby Michael J. Rosen
HarperAudio; Published: 2002-11-12; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $4.51
Price in other shops:
Red, White & Liberalby Alan Colmes
HarperAudio; Published: 2003-10-28; Audio Cassette; Book
Best price: $0.01
Price in other shops:
Similar Books and other products
If a Pirate I Must Be...: The True Story of "Black Bart," King of the Caribbean Piratesby Richard Sanders
Skyhorse Publishing; Published: 2009-06-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.13
Price in other shops:
The Sea Rover's Practice: Pirate Tactics and Techniques, 1630-1730by Benerson Little
Potomac Books Inc.; Published: 2007-01-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.25
Price in other shops:
The Government Manual for New Piratesby Matthew David Brozik, Jacob Sager Weinstein
Andrews McMeel Publishing; Published: 2007-04-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $103.35
The History of Piratesby Angus Konstam
Lyons Press; Published: 2002-08-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.23
Price in other shops:
The Mammoth Book of Pirates: Over 25 True Tales of Devilry and Daring by the Most Infamous Pirates of All TimeRunning Press; Published: 2006-06-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.99
Price in other shops:
Pirattitude!: So you Wanna Be a Pirate?: Here's How!by John Baur, Mark Summers
NAL Trade; Published: 2005-09-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.94
Price in other shops:
A General History of the Pyrates (Dover Maritime)by Daniel Defoe
Dover Publications; Published: 1999-01-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.46
Price in other shops:
Pirate Dictionary, Theby Terry Breverton
Pelican Publishing; Published: 2004-07-31; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.00
Price in other shops:
The Republic of Pirates: Being the True and Surprising Story of the Caribbean Pirates and the Man Who Brought Them Downby Colin Woodard
Mariner Books; Published: 2008-06-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.34
Price in other shops:
Under the Black Flag: The Romance and the Reality of Life Among the Piratesby David Cordingly
Random House Trade Paperbacks; Published: 2006-05-09; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.70
Price in other shops: