Pirate Trials

Dastardly Deeds & Last Words

By: Ken Rossignol

Narrated by: Jack Chekijian

Some of the most bloodthirsty pirates in the world were brought to justice and held over for trial in Scotland, England, and the United States. These trials detail their dastardly deeds with startling testimony of those who were there and lived to be able to testify in person. What happened to the Jane of Gibraltar?

Learn how pirates repainted a ship at sea, killed the captain and cook, and set a fire in the hold with the rest of the crew to suffocate, all for the purpose of taking over the ship and a valuable cargo of silver dollars and gold.

Pirates plundered other ships on the high seas while on the brig Crawford a cunning act of piracy was perpetrated by a veteran pirate leader. He slit his own throat to escape justice while three Spaniards he recruited stood trial with the esteemed Chief Justice John Marshall presiding over the federal court in Richmond, Virginia, in 1827, a rare trial. Follow the action in a blow-by blow description of the murder and mayhem right into the courtroom.

Over 50,000 people attended one execution of pirates in England, making one wonder if anyone was fortunate enough to have the fish and chips concession that day! There are no magic scenes out of sparkling Caribbean waters with Captain Jack Sparrow dueling with a devil, but the genuine evil related in these authentic pirate trials will certainly make your timbers shiver!

©2012-2013 Kenneth C Rossignol (P)2013 Kenneth C Rossignol

Like watching a trial as it happens...

I received this audio book in exchange for a honest and unbiased review. Pirate Trials is about actual pirates on trial. It takes us to the court room and we hear the trial happening (simulation). The year is 1827. The place is Richmond, Virginia and many pirates have been caught and are on trial for murder and mayhem.

The author, Kenneth Rossignol did a fantastic job writing this audio book. This is a great idea and I found it interesting to listen to all the antics that happen at a trial. This is a very unique book. The narrator, Jack Chekijian delivers a flawless and entertaining view of the trial. He uses many different voices and accents to portray all the characters called up to testify. This is a a really interesting book!

This is what really happens to the inhumane greedy

Crimes change, laws adapt, sentencing changes, executions change, criminals are as clueless as ever. Excellent teaching tool for law, law enforcement, historians, novelists, and those who think Hollywood is real. Rossignol has done all of the hard work of digging into trial records and depictions of the executions and the large to enormous size of the audiences attending this form of entertainment. Well written and attention grabbing.

Production caveat: God only knows what went wrong here, but the speed and fluidity are reminiscent of battery decline in an audiotape player. For note taking use 1.25x speed, for listening enjoyment use at least 1.5x speed. There will still be a few rate irregularities, but they won't detract from your enjoyment.

Chekijian performs this work well, like always. You can generally count on never having to backtrack for notetaking when he performs a scholarly work. It helps that his voice is pleasant, flowing, and clearly enunciated.

This book was a gift.

Somewhat interesting...

It was okay, its a trial transcript from the 1800s. Narrator is a bit ridiculous

Real Pirates!

Would you listen to Pirate Trials again? Why?

I'll probably listen again with my son, who is a huge pirate lover!

Who was your favorite character and why?

N/a. This is a non-fiction book. There are hundreds of characters, none more important.

Which character – as performed by Jack Chekijian – was your favorite?

Some of the lawyers voices were pretty perfect. Very lofty and lawyerly! He also does a great job pronouncing some really hard words!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Everything you ever wanted to know about pirate trials, but were afraid to ask!

Any additional comments?

This book is chock full of cool information, and ought to be televised, with a slide show of sorts, maybe on the History Channel!

Pirate Trials: Dastardly Deeds & Last Words Review

I really enjoyed listening to this one. I love listening to the pirate trials. Some savory characters indeed.

As always, Jack Chekijian did a wonderful job narrating this book. He's one of the best as well as one of my favorites.

Audiobook received for an honest review.

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