Helpful Score: 12
I've had a soft spot for Crichton ever since he blew my freaking mind with "Jurassic Park" when I was a wee lad. At that time I was an aspiring paleontologist and in my spare time I'd love sitting on my bedroom floor playing with fossils, reading stuff about dinosaurs and tracing dinosaur bone diagrams on wax paper. Needless to say I wasn't coolest kid around and "Jurassic Park" was pretty much my biggest wet dream come to life.
Over the years my interest in Crichton has waned quite a bit, but every once in a while I crack open one of his works and remember why I enjoy his stuff front time to time. "The Andromeda Strain" was great, "Congo" was entertaining, and "Next" was if nothing else thought provoking. Unfortunately as you most likely are aware, in 2008 Crichton passed away after a long battle with cancer. After his death a copy of "Pirate Latitudes" was discovered on his computer and luckily for us all it was published.
I'm not going to lie, the thought of Crichton writing a pirate story that takes place in the 1600s seemed a bit odd to me (What no time machines??), and perhaps he had no aspiration to ever actually publish it(apparently he completed it in '06), but much to my surprise he pulled it off masterfully. Complete with angry savages, corrupt politicians, sea monsters, witchcraft, Spanish treasure, an unsavory yet extremely likable crew of pirates, and a tough as nails Captain that would bitch slap Jack Sparrow to Davey Jones' Locker in a heartbeat, what more could you really ask for?
Over the years my interest in Crichton has waned quite a bit, but every once in a while I crack open one of his works and remember why I enjoy his stuff front time to time. "The Andromeda Strain" was great, "Congo" was entertaining, and "Next" was if nothing else thought provoking. Unfortunately as you most likely are aware, in 2008 Crichton passed away after a long battle with cancer. After his death a copy of "Pirate Latitudes" was discovered on his computer and luckily for us all it was published.
I'm not going to lie, the thought of Crichton writing a pirate story that takes place in the 1600s seemed a bit odd to me (What no time machines??), and perhaps he had no aspiration to ever actually publish it(apparently he completed it in '06), but much to my surprise he pulled it off masterfully. Complete with angry savages, corrupt politicians, sea monsters, witchcraft, Spanish treasure, an unsavory yet extremely likable crew of pirates, and a tough as nails Captain that would bitch slap Jack Sparrow to Davey Jones' Locker in a heartbeat, what more could you really ask for?
Helpful Score: 10
If you like pirates and adventure, then this is the book for you. It has adventure, fighting, gold, ships, and mystery. I enjoyed reading it and am glad they found this manuscript on his computer. I am going to miss reading his new books. I would recommend this book to a friend.
Helpful Score: 9
I agree with everyone who said it was a quick, fun read. I'm a pirate-lover, and this book did not disappoint. I read a few luke-warm reviews before I got the book for Christmas (right from the Amazon wish list, of course), and I was worried that it wouldn't be as enjoyable as I'd hoped... Thankfully, it was actually a GREAT book, and it engaged me enough that I finished it in just a few days, and never wanted to put it down. :)
For an unpublished manuscript, it was perfectly excellent.
For an unpublished manuscript, it was perfectly excellent.
Helpful Score: 4
I thought this was an enjoyable book. I am so glad there was no pirate lingo: no "shiver me timbers" or "avast ye maties" to be found. It was a quick read after getting through the first few chapters, which in my opinion were a little dull. This is not my usual genre and I wasn't sure I could get into a book about pirates, but there was enough action to keep my attention. I know nothing about sailing, so to be honest, some of the descriptions bored me a little. I would recommend it if you are a fan of Michael Crichton. I gave it 3 1/2 stars.
Helpful Score: 3
Normally, a Michael Crichton book equals a great read. This expectation just wasn't met with Pirate Latitudes. Early in the book he fleshed out the characters, really got the reader onto the ship Cassander, owned by the main character, Charles Hunter and then followed with a few great adventures.
Then after a couple great adventures you return to Port Royal where the ending drops you off, left wondering how this adventure could have such a horrid ending.
It is almost like this was written for television and he had to cut the time down to make it fit into an hour. Not worth the time spent getting into the characters.
Then after a couple great adventures you return to Port Royal where the ending drops you off, left wondering how this adventure could have such a horrid ending.
It is almost like this was written for television and he had to cut the time down to make it fit into an hour. Not worth the time spent getting into the characters.
Helpful Score: 2
This manuscript was discovered after the untimely death of Michael Crichton. I was prepared to like it and I did. It started a bit slow but then took off. It is a pure pirate adventure. Very fast read. I learned something I never knew that I didn't know. The difference between a privateer and a pirate. Privateers operate under the auspices of a higher authority;e.g. the king(England here)who gets a share of the booty, the governor of the island and whomever has a hand in granting permission. Pirates don't have to share with authorities but upon capture are hung.
Igave this book a 3.55 but it turned into a 5.
Igave this book a 3.55 but it turned into a 5.
Helpful Score: 2
While I was reading this book, I was making a power point presentation on the life of Blackbeard. I was delighted that I knew some of the terms used in the novel such as privateer, sloop, and bowsprit. While this book is much more about privateers than pirates, it is a quick read, that feels like you're in the middle of an action movie. I would also say that this book is not for the faint of heart, there's a heavy dose of sex and violence. Heavier on the violence perhaps, but it is a lovely book to say the least. I love Crichton's technical writing style and the calculating nature of his characters. I would say that if you are a fan of action adventure novels, definitely check out this book.
Helpful Score: 1
What a great loss! Every thing he wrote was an excellent, totally absorbing read. He was a true genious in so many fields. Rest in peace, Mr. Crichton, I miss your work. HootsAnnie
Helpful Score: 1
It is like he was writing a script for Hollywood. It didn't feel like 1665, just American types transported to the Caribbean.
Helpful Score: 1
I'm a fan of most of Crichton's books. They have this awesome way of pulling you in and making the "impossible" seem possible.
That said, I didn't enjoy Pirate Latitudes as much as some of his other novels. Though it wasn't terrible, and there were some good chapters that really drew me in, it seemed to be missing something. I also found it to be too disturbing in places for me, but hey, this IS a pirate story after all!
That said, I didn't enjoy Pirate Latitudes as much as some of his other novels. Though it wasn't terrible, and there were some good chapters that really drew me in, it seemed to be missing something. I also found it to be too disturbing in places for me, but hey, this IS a pirate story after all!
Helpful Score: 1
A good, quick read. The characters were predictable, and, to a degree, the story. Obviously, this book is one of Crichton's very early books as it does not have the polish and professionalism of State of Fear or other books for which he is known.
Helpful Score: 1
A fun read! It started out a bit slow and I didn't think I'd like it, but then it captured me and I had a hard time putting it down. Learned a bit about pirates and privateers, too. Go ahead, give it a try... if you like swashbuckling pirates and treasures, (I didn't think I did!), you'll enjoy this tale.
Helpful Score: 1
If you love pirate stories you should enjoy this book. It has all the typical pirate adventures: hopes of finding treasure, battles between ships, storms at sea, captain making unpopular decisions to ultimately save ship and crew, and of course good ole swashbuckling.
As a Michael Crichton fan, this was not what I was expecting from his writing. It was too typical without his usual flair. I would rate it a 3 out of 5. I enjoyed it as a quick afternoon read, but was not spellbound. I would recommend it as a good read.
As a Michael Crichton fan, this was not what I was expecting from his writing. It was too typical without his usual flair. I would rate it a 3 out of 5. I enjoyed it as a quick afternoon read, but was not spellbound. I would recommend it as a good read.
Helpful Score: 1
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I think it is one of his better stories myself.
I am a big fan of Michael Crichton's books - - let me just get that out of the way.
He could make any scenario seem absolutely plausible and real!
If you have ANY interest in what the pirate life was like - - read this book (this is no Disney Pirates of the Caribbean - although I adore those movies!) I seriously cannot wait for someone to make Pirate latitudes into a movie! You can see the action in your head from his writing.
Great, fun, fast read!
He could make any scenario seem absolutely plausible and real!
If you have ANY interest in what the pirate life was like - - read this book (this is no Disney Pirates of the Caribbean - although I adore those movies!) I seriously cannot wait for someone to make Pirate latitudes into a movie! You can see the action in your head from his writing.
Great, fun, fast read!
This book was good for what it was. A pirate adventure. It seemed a bit out of the ordinary for a writer like Crichton, until I read in the back that the book was published after his death.
I'm assuming this was a fun project for him to work on and was never meant to be published. It was pretty interesting to see him write a simple adventure book.
Overall, the story kept me reading. I finished the book in just a few days. I'd recommend it to anyone who is looking for an easy read and a pirate adventure.
I'm assuming this was a fun project for him to work on and was never meant to be published. It was pretty interesting to see him write a simple adventure book.
Overall, the story kept me reading. I finished the book in just a few days. I'd recommend it to anyone who is looking for an easy read and a pirate adventure.
This book was a quick and fun read. First book to read by this author and I can tell why Michael Crichton was a best seller. Pirate Latitudes was action packed with fully developed characters. The plot moved swiftly along. It was, however highly predictable if you're at all familiar with stories of pirate and privateer lore.
Ok if you likme pirates, but sure not up to his regular work
a fun book full of every Pirate sterotype. a quick read.
Great Pirate tale, had a little bit of everything!Kraken, Cannibals, Sea battles good stuff!
Loved this book. A departure from my 'normal' reads, which was just what I needed. History hidden in fiction.
It's 1665 and England is no longer at war with Spain. Letters of marque allowing privateers to prey on Spanish shipping are no longer legal. But old animosities die hard and one privateer( with the secret connivance of the governor of Jamaica) enacts a daring raid against a secret island Spanish fortress harboring a treasure galleon separated from the gold fleet, awaiting escort.
The exciting, dangerous events transpire at a very rapid pace, the 300+ pages speeding by as if less than a third of their length, gripping the reader until the unexpected, astounding conclusion.
The exciting, dangerous events transpire at a very rapid pace, the 300+ pages speeding by as if less than a third of their length, gripping the reader until the unexpected, astounding conclusion.
fun, fast moving pirate story; not Crichton's usual stuff. but very entertaining. A witch, a Kracken, and greedy politicians are involved!
I wish there were a 2.5 star rating, somewhere in the middle of "Didn't like it" and "Liked it." Michael Crichton is Michael Crichton. When I read one of his books, I don't expect John Updike or even Walter Mosely. It's rather pedestrian writing but a good story and I stuck with it to the end. I suppose that's saying something.
This was one of those books that you don't put down until it is done.
I'm very glad the unearthed this treasure from the Crichton archives. It's true Crichton - a fast-paced adventure, and it doesn't get bogged down in the technical like many of his books do. Can't wait to see the movie they make from this one.
Quick pace and a swashbuckling good time for a breezy summer read. Look forward to the possible movie for sure
As an avid lover of Micheal Crichton, you can just tell this is unfinished. He did not get the chance to make it perfect. Second worst after the Great Train Robert. (if there can be a bad MC book)
An action packed adventure story!
Very good pirate book, i read this one in one day... Loved it.
lots of adventure and great characters !
lots of adventure and great characters !
This book isn't quite as exciting as some of the author's other novels, but it is still very interesting. You learn alot about the mind set of the day when profiteering was a way of life.
As carefully researched and detailed as all his other books. There's a lot about sailing- maybe 50% of the book! But there's also lots of action. I love how all his books start slowly but then the action just tumbles in unexpectedly! There's not much character development but that doesn't stop you for cheering for them all the same. I feel Crichton had a unique blend of science fiction, action/adventure and suspense/horror; I miss this talented author/screenwriter.
I fell in love with reading in high school, and Michael Crichton is one of the reasons why. After reading Andromeda Strain and The Terminal Man, I was hooked. I've read almost all of his books, and Pirate Latitudes was my least favorite. Knowing that this was his last novel, I was greatly disappointed.
This one is very different from his other books. I missed the scientific/politcal background that so many of his other novels have. I did, though, really like that the story was about pirates, but I thought the story was slow-moving. There were scenes of intense action, and then there were looong sections that were just boring. And, I didn't really care about any of the characters.
But, no matter. Crichton was a great writer and this book will not affect my love for his other books.
This one is very different from his other books. I missed the scientific/politcal background that so many of his other novels have. I did, though, really like that the story was about pirates, but I thought the story was slow-moving. There were scenes of intense action, and then there were looong sections that were just boring. And, I didn't really care about any of the characters.
But, no matter. Crichton was a great writer and this book will not affect my love for his other books.
The first 100 pages or so are very boring. The Governor of Jamaica is a vain ass and is typically corrupt. The pirate, Captain Charles Hunter is a lively one and rather creative. Otherwise a typical tale of piracy with a few surprises as well as a nasty betrayal and even a sea monster attack. I loved the justified ending. Crichton left us with a great story - though admittedly not his best but enjoyable nonetheless.
This was a surprise reading book. An adventure story in the Carribean yes, but also a
history lesson too! The pace never flags, and the characters are real.
history lesson too! The pace never flags, and the characters are real.
This book was rollicking good fun. I couldn't put it down. It was "Pirates Of The Caribbean" for adults.
LOVED THIS FAST MOVING BOOK. READ IT IN 2 NIGHTS
