Meet the men and women who chose to forsake everything to endure the harsh conditions of life at sea, endless skirmishes, and often violent death. Was the promise of wealth, power, and adventure worth the price they paid? Compiled from historical archives, this book answers that question and more. Pirates of the Carolinas discusses thirteen of the most fascinating buccaneers in the history of piracy. These men and women are all connected somehow to the Carolinas. This book provides insight into the personalities and lives of these fascinating sea marauders and answers many questions about what life was like for pirates. Why was Blackbeard feared by even the cruelest and toughest pirates? Did he really hold the entire town of Charleston captive? Is it true he tied lit fuses to his head before going into battle? Beautiful, young, well-bred Anne Bonny ran away to avoid marrying a rich man her father had chosen for her. Mary Reed pretended to be a male pirate by dressing up in men's clothes. How and why did these women become pirates? Did Captain Kidd murder one of his crew? What happened during the legendary three-year voyage that was to be his last? Was he a privateer or an honest-to-goodness pirate? Did "Calico Jack" really leave his wife and crew to battle while he hid below deck? Read and find out!