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  • Pirate Hunters

  • Treasure, Obsession, and the Search for a Legendary Pirate Ship
  • By: Robert Kurson
  • Narrated by: Ray Porter
  • Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (69 ratings)
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Pirate Hunters

By: Robert Kurson
Narrated by: Ray Porter
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Summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY CHICAGO TRIBUNE 

A thrilling adventure of danger and deep-sea diving, historic mystery and suspense, by the author of Shadow Divers 

Finding and identifying a pirate ship is the hardest thing to do under the sea. But two men—John Chatterton and John Mattera—are willing to risk everything to find the Golden Fleece, the ship of the infamous pirate Joseph Bannister. At large during the Golden Age of Piracy in the seventeenth century, Bannister should have been immortalized in the lore of the sea—his exploits more notorious than Blackbeard’s, more daring than Kidd’s. But his story, and his ship, have been lost to time. If Chatterton and Mattera succeed, they will make history—it will be just the second time ever that a pirate ship has been discovered and positively identified. 

Soon, however, they realize that cutting-edge technology and a willingness to lose everything aren’t enough to track down Bannister’s ship. They must travel the globe in search of historic documents and accounts of the great pirate’s exploits, face down dangerous rivals, battle the tides of nations and governments and experts. But it’s only when they learn to think and act like pirates—like Bannister—that they become able to go where no pirate hunters have gone before. 

Fast-paced and filled with suspense, fascinating characters, history, and adventure, Pirate Hunters is an unpausable story that goes deep to discover truths and souls long believed lost.

©2015 Robert Kurson (P)2015 Random House Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic reviews

"A great thriller full of tough guys and long odds... and: It's all true." (Lee Child)
" Pirate Hunters is a fantastic book, an utterly engrossing and satisfying read. It tells the story of the hunt for the rare wreck of a pirate ship, which had been captained by one of the most remarkable pirates in history. This is a real-life Treasure Island, complete with swashbuckling, half-crazy treasure hunters and vivid Caribbean settings - a story for the ages." (Douglas Preston)
" Pirate Hunters is a gripping account of two courageous divers' quest to uncover the shipwrecked vessel of Joseph Bannister, one of history's most infamous pirates. Robert Kurson will keep you on the edge of your seat in this high-stakes journey around the globe that ultimately teaches these explorers about much more than an old ship." (Sen. John McCain)

What listeners say about Pirate Hunters

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  • 19-03-24

Teased until the end

Some pronunciation issues but apart from that very good, it was a much enjoyed story.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Captivating

An exciting adventure of a real world interest based on a true story I believe and enthralled me the whole time

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable and interesting!

I love nonfiction for my audio books, and this one hit the spot. The narrator provides enough performance to keep it interesting, and I was glued to the last two hours or so’!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

What a remarkable Story/Adventure

Top marks for the story. I've lost count on how often I sat on edge with Chatterden Matera and Bowden.
The feeling when finally holding proof in their hands that they've found the golden fleece I can only imagine.
I could imagine what it must've looked like when J. Bannister angered his Golden Fleece in paradise.
I could picture the battle with the navy and sinking his ship.
It is a shame that they fell out with Bowden.....
I only gave 3 stars for the performance as the voice was at some parts pretty boring. Read as if the person couldn't be bothered. I was missing excitement and emotions.....

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Slow with unnecessary noise

Great premise, but sadly overdone on attempts to dramatise and irritating errors in detail. E.g the two "British warships" are repeatedly described as frigates, when the second ship with 6 small guns can't have been more than a sloop. Lots of uninteresting detail on minutia that simply slows the tale down to a frustrating crawl. A pity.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great Story

I really enjoyed the narrative of the story and the details of the life of a pirate, which really painted a picture.
I felt the ending a little bit of an anti climax with little detail on the finds and treasures within the Golden Fleece.
All in all a great story of persistence and determination.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A cracking yarn

Fantastic adventure and insight into treasure hunting and pirates. Was sad when I got to the end because I was enjoying it so much. Pity Shadow Divers isn’t on audible. Good old fashioned boys own tale.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

fascinating from start to finish

A thrilling mix of modern adventurers and historical hero's masterfully written and beautifully read. would recommend to anyone

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Entertaining but historically dubious<br />

entertaining enough tale bit the author has a serious man crush on the treasure hunters

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