Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton

Summary of Pirate Latitudes

Click here to view alternate cover

The book will be available in either of the two covers

From one of the best-loved authors of all time comes an irresistible adventure of swashbuckling pirates in the New World, a classic story of treasure and betrayal.
The Caribbean, 1665. A remote colony of the English Crown, the island of Jamaica holds out against the vast supremacy of the Spanish empire. Port Royal, its capital, is a cutthroat town of taverns, grog shops, and bawdy houses.

In this steamy climate there's a living to be made, a living that can end swiftly by disease—or by dagger. For Captain Charles Hunter, gold in Spanish hands is gold for the taking, and the law of the land rests with those ruthless enough to make it.

Word in port is that the galleon El Trinidad, fresh from New Spain, is awaiting repairs in a nearby harbor. Heavily fortified, the impregnable harbor is guarded by the bloodthirsty Cazalla, a favorite commander of the Spanish king himself. With backing from a powerful ally, Hunter assembles a crew of ruffians to infiltrate the enemy outpost and commandeer El Trinidad, along with its fortune in Spanish gold. The raid is as perilous as the bloodiest tales of island legend, and Hunter will lose more than one man before he even sets foot on foreign shores, where dense jungle and the firepower of Spanish infantry stand between him and the treasure. . . .

Indiaplaza Review

It seems that the manuscript of Pirate Latitudes was found in Michael Crichton’s computer hard disk after he died and someone decided to publish it. Given this background, this novel should be assessed at two different levels.

The first is to evaluate this as just another book and on that count it meets a very simple requirement of thrillers – it is breezy and uncomplicated. The plot is set in The Caribbean islands in the 17^th century. The Spanish empire holds sway over most of the region but some small islands notably Jamaica is still holding on to their English masters. News comes in that a Spanish ship carrying immense treasures is available for the taking at an island Matanceros. The challenge is to overcome the evil Cazzala who rules Matanceros from a fortress. Cazalla is of course one of those pleasant guys who chokes his victims till their eyeballs come out or has their testicles for breakfast and engages in similar other pastimes.

Charles Hunter a British privateer (an euphemism for a pirate) is up for the risks since the rewards are high. He puts together a band of intrepid men and women and sails to capture the treasure.

What follows is a high seas adventure with action, treason, gun fights, swords, deep sea creatures and of course the inevitable damsel in distress. Fast and easy, this is a book meant for what Indians call “time-pass”. If you are looking for this, go for it.

The second level is to assess this effort given Michael Crichton’s stature. If you are used to Disclosure, Air Frame, Red Sun and other brilliant stuff, this will be a disappointment. There must have been a reason why Crichton completed the book and yet did not get it published when he was alive.

To sum up, Pirate Latitudes works as an easy read but if you want to really remember Crichton, give us Airframe any day.

Read review of the book Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton and buy the book online.

The book Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton ISBN 9780007355228 is available at Rs 173, 31% discount and may qualify for free shipping anywhere in India. When you order the book Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton at Indiaplaza.in, you are sure to receive a brand new copy and not an old copy or a used book.

Most popular search strings for this book on the Internet

Michael Crichton | Michael Crichton Pirate Latitudes | Michael Crichton Pirate Latitudes review | Pirate Latitudes | Pirate Latitudes Michael Crichton | Pirate Latitudes book | Pirate Latitudes book review | Pirate Latitudes buy | Pirate Latitudes buy online | Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton | Pirate Latitudes India | Pirate Latitudes online | Pirate Latitudes price | Pirate Latitudes review | Pirate Latitudes summary | 9780007355228