Books in the
'Ologies Series

ALIENOLOGY

THE OCEANOLOGY HANDBOOK:
A Course for Underwater Explorers

THE MONSTEROLOGY HANDBOOK:
A Practical Course in Monsters

OCEANOLOGY:
The True Account of the Voyage of the Nautilus

THE MYTHOLOGY HANDBOOK:
A Course in Ancient Greek Myths

THE FROST DRAGON:
Dragonology Tracking and Taming Dragons,
Volume 2

SPYOLOGY:
The Complete Book of Spycraft

MONSTEROLOGY:
The Complete Book of Monstrous Creatures

THE PIRATEOLOGY HANDBOOK:
A Course in Pirate Hunting

EGYPTOLOGY:
CODE-WRITING KIT

DRAGONOLOGY:
FIELD GUIDE TO DRAGONS

DRAGONOLOGY:
CODE-WRITING KIT

THE DRAGON'S EYE:
The Dragonology Chronicles, Volume One

THE DRAGON DIARY:
The Dragonology Chronicles, Volume Two

MYTHOLOGY

THE WIZARDOLOGY HANDBOOK:
A Course for Apprentices

WIZARDOLOGY:
CODE-WRITING KIT

PIRATEOLOGY:
The Pirate Hunter's Companion

PIRATEOLOGY:
GUIDEBOOK AND MODEL SET

PIRATEOLOGY
CODE-WRITING KIT

THE PIRATEOLOGY HANDBOOK: A Course in Pirate Hunting
written by Captain William Lubber
edited by Dugald A. Steer
Candlewick Press
ISBN: 9780763637941
Ages 9-up
80 pages

Is there anyone out there on the seven seas more swashbuckling and cunning than a pirate? Yes! A pirate hunter. In order to outsmart and outmaneuver a pirate, a pirate hunter must know all about the pirate’s dastardly ways. Captain William Lubber has written THE PIRATEOLOGY HANDBOOK to help fledgling pirate hunters learn the ins and outs of their trade. "If you would dare to join those brave souls who risk their lives daily to make the seas a safer place, then this book...will be a faithful guide," he writes. Thus the course in pirate hunting begins.
 
Through the ranks the reader goes, from cabin boy to able seaman to bo'sun to captain, finding out more and more about pirates and how to foil their thieving plans. One must master flags and bells, knots and watches, all the while learning about pirate history, favorite pirate ports and the most wicked pirates, male and female, who strike fear in the hearts of landlubbers. Hard work and study is rewarded by a special appointment by the king (and four pages of cool and colorful stickers at the end of the book).
 
Written and illustrated to look like a useful and weathered book from 1724, this guide is clever, informative and fun to look at. From the parts of the ship to navigation and secret codes, it is a perfect blend of history, geography, maritime science and pure fun. The illustrations are well done, both exciting and authentic looking, and the text is readable and full of fascinating facts. Each section has an "off-watch activity" challenging readers to apply what they have read.
 
While the text is unfortunately but accurately addressed to "cabin boys," female pirates are not ignored. So girl pirate hunters hopefully will not feel completely excluded.
 
Overall, this is a smart and attractive book that approaches the ever-popular theme of pirates in a new way. Here is another ’Ology success to inspire, educate and entertain readers. Only the bravest sailors are needed for this adventure, and all pirates, buccaneers and privateers be wary!

     --- Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman

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