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B. R. Burg
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Sodomy and the Pirate Tradition: English Sea Rovers in the Seventeenth-Century Caribbean Paperback – March 1, 1995

by Barry R. Burg (Author)
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Explores the sexual world of the one of the most fabled and romanticized characters in history―the pirate

From Blackbeard to Captain Hook, pirates have been the subject of countless movies, books, children's tales, and even a world-famous amusement park ride. In Sodomy and the Pirate Tradition, B.R. Burg looks beyond the myth to analyze the social and sexual world of sea rovers. Through his innovative analysis of archival materials, he uncovers the queer history of piracy.

Burg makes the groundbreaking argument that buccaneer sexuality differed widely from that of other all-male institutions such as prisons. Instead of existing within a regimented structure of rule, regulations, and oppressive supervision, buccaneers operated in a society in which widespread tolerance of homosexuality was the norm and conditions encouraged its practice.

Sodomy and the Pirate Tradition has helped to reshape the figure of the pirate for a new century. In Burg’s introduction, he discusses the controversy that surrounded the book when it was published in 1983 and how our perspectives on all-male societies have since changed. Creating an indelible impact on our culture, the book was even read by Johnny Depp in preparation for his role of Captain Jack Sparrow. In a time when we are rethinking conventional historical narratives, Sodomy and the Pirate Tradition offers an essential, alternative perspective on the centuries-old figure of the pirate.

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  1. Print length
    264 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    March 1, 1995
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.66 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0814712363
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0814712368
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A great . . . very interesting book." -- Johnny Depp

"Burg puts historians to shame by raising extremely interesting questions that no one before had asked." -- Christopher Hill ― New York Review of Books

About the Author

B. R. Burg is Professor of History at Arizona State University and the author of Sodomy and the Pirate Tradition.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ New York University Press; 1st Revised edition (March 1, 1995)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 264 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0814712363
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0814712368
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.66 x 9 inches

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B. R. Burg

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4.1 out of 5 stars
104 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Russell Vogel
5.0 out of 5 stars Bought it for the title.
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2023
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This is an interesting book, but if you bought it because you wanted to read a swashbuckling story of gay pirate romance on the high seas, leave this book alone and go watch Our Flag Means Death. This is a fairly dry academic work. It's certainly full of interesting historical tidbits, but an exciting page-turning romp it is not.

One amusing feature of this book is that it was written before we, as a society, had decided that gayness is something you're born with. Apparently that was a borderline offensive thing to suggest back then? So the author kind of dances around that, and brings in all kinds of theories about events and circumstances that might turn a person gay, though he doesn't seem to believe in any of them himself. Weird.

But it's a good book. Well-written and well researched. It may give a shake-up to your ideas about who was likely to turn pirate in the first place, and their reasons for doing so.
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PS
4.0 out of 5 stars Important and essential reading, even it imperfect.
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2013
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Overall, this book is an excellent assimilation of data that provides a compelling, if sometimes circumstantial, argument that homosexual activity or homosexuality itself was an integral, known and most probably welcome aspect of pirate life in the 17th and early 18th centuries. Taken in the context of its initial date of publication (1983) and subsequent reprint (1995) the message of this book will have initially been perhaps more profound than it is today in western society in 2013 where homosexual lifestyle has in many parts of society become mainstream and often legally protected. There are, however, a few drawbacks that detract from this work without, in my view, undermining its message or significance.

In the extensive discussion on historical context, there seems a degree of selective use of example in articulating the attitudes of society toward homosexuality and homosexual behaviour. At times it feels a bit like the author is bending history to his message rather than concluding his message from an unbiased assessment of history. There are two examples worth noting. In the discussion of Mervin Touchet, Lord Audley, Earl of Castlehaven, his conviction and execution, the author does not extend the discussion to the others involved in the case or point out that they too were executed, perhaps as with Castlehaven not simply for sodomy but this point is left unclear since unaddressed. A second example is the discussion of a pamphlet entitled A Full and True Account of a Dreadful Fire that Lately Broke Out in the Popes Breeches. This the author identifies as anti-clerical rather than anti-homosexual, but nowhere in the discussion is the definition extended to clarify that it in fact relates to a rumoured affair between the well-known wife of the British consul to Venice and the Pope. Perhaps this doesn't detract from the point that the publication is not anti-homosexual, but it does provide better context to see the homosexual element of the pamphlet being used as a satirical and shaming tool in pillorying an actual pope and an actual lady about a known rumour rather than a generic anti-clerical rant.

This leads to the next point of concern, the absence of discussion of the significance of homosexuality as a source of humour and the similarity of this between 17th/18th century England and late 20th century Britain and America. It is a widely known and discussed fact that the humorous use of homosexual references in late 20th century Britain and America was often intended to humiliate and ridicule homosexual acts and homosexuality and those involved in it. It seems from the examples cited in this book to be similar in this respect to the manifestation of homosexual reference in literature, satire, theatre and account in 17th and 18th century England. This does challenge the assertion that homosexuality was more normal and tolerated as a part of 17th/18th Century English life than the late 20th century condemnation within the military, scouts and other institutions. But, this perspective is not addressed in this book. Further to this, there is an interpretation that could be made of the proven preference for 17th and 18th century English courts to be satisfied prosecuting attempted sodomy rather than the more serious sodomy and the equally proven mild penalty upon most convictions that this reflects a powerful component of shame or social damage that makes more severe conviction or punishment redundant. This too is not discussed.

In the discussion of the factors leading a man or boy to choose long distance sea voyage with its well understood characteristic of entirely male companionship over countless months or years, the motivation of escape and freedom of lifestyle is not adequately discussed. For the most part, the implication of a tolerant English society implies this decision is about a man or boy choosing to immerse himself in a homosexual lifestyle - almost gratuitously since the author argues that homosexual lifestyle was not severely curtailed in England at this time. There is another explanation, much more consistent with late 20th and early 21st century society, that this was about achieving freedoms to be oneself and not hide one's homosexuality. As such, it could be viewed as a means of escaping social persecution in England by entering a society embracing homosexuality. This may be particularly the case within a non-Catholic country with fewer segregated male communities and institutions than catholic countries would have offered without long sea voyage.

A great deal of energy is spent discussing the association of cabin boys and similar with individual, older sailors and this evidence of homosexual or paedophilic preferences of more experienced or leading seamen. It is discussed mostly in terms of an execution of a power balance and compared to late 20th century prison populations in this respect. Whilst this argument is well presented and there is no reason to question it, a further explanation necessary for consideration has been ignored. It is clear from the data provided by the author that a percentage of pirates were heterosexual and may have had homosexual encounters as a matter of necessity or desperation. It is reasonable to consider - if for no other reason than to disprove - that the androgynous physic of male youth, being closer to the feminine ideal than the average seaman may be expected to have been, was a more palatable compromise for this heterosexual minority.

These observations lead me to conclude that in writing this book, the author may have feared that without building up a very solid foundation of context, his argument and conclusion would not be accepted. Again, in the contexts of 1983 and 1995 this may be fair and an acceptable explanation for the concerns I raise above.

Other than this, the only minor criticism of the work itself is a degree of repetition of facts that makes it seem that part of the book was originally written as articles and consolidated with insufficient editing.

I emphasize that these observations do not detract from the important message of this book that contrary to the pulp-fiction myth of the highly sexed, heterosexual pirate fighting ferocious sea battles in search of gold, jewels and fair maiden women to be devoured, the reality of these characters is evidently far more inclined to ravish the house boy than the mistress even if through misogyny, distrust, disgust or simple convenience the mistress will have been done away with quickly if not so cruelly as well. This book is a must read for anyone seriously interested in understanding the dynamic of the pirate lifestyle and the history which has become so oddly warped in its integration to mainstream 20th and 21st century western culture. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the subject generally and would expect it to be familiar to anyone wishing to speak seriously about Caribbean piracy.
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James
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful gift
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2012
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Classic Novel. Wonderful History of Piracy. Don"t let the title put you off. Great For fans of Tails of the Sea.
2 people found this helpful
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James A Cummings
3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2020
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I was expecting something a little lighter and possible humorous. It is well written but a deep dive into the psychiatric side of the subject. Am sure those in the field will fine it more interesting they I did
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jake penn-cullen
5.0 out of 5 stars very happy
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2014
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as described, very happy thankyou
One person found this helpful
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J
1.0 out of 5 stars Bad sources
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2020
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I was very disappointed with this book. The first few chapters try to put the argument in context, but they're based on some insane assumptions about English society, and he frequently contradicts himself about the presence and treatment of women. He says there were none, then spends a chapter listing them all, and doesn't include non-white women or transported Irish women in his estimates. When he finally gets to stories about specific pirates, they're based on sources that have been heavily questioned or proven to be fiction, totally undermining his argument. The blurb from Hill is great, but Hill has also pointed out the problems with some of the key assumptions these books are based on. It's important that he's asking these questions and focusing on this subject, but the approach and the scholarship renders this basically useless. Good for context about general acceptance of homosexual practices, but beyond that, it's unfocused and frustrating.
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Top reviews from other countries

Florian
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 25, 2022
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The amount of research supported by references and the objective writing make for a revealing read that de-romaticise pirates as we portray them today to shine a light on something we are never told. I was left amazed at such revelation on how homosexuality was if I may bastardise a summary "a gay thing".
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on May 17, 2017
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Very interesting. Well-written.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Well thought out set of arguments and facts.
Reviewed in Australia on October 27, 2014
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Very Interesting in depth observation on social mores in the 17 and 18th century.
I had know that the laws on 'buggery' had been around for a long time, however I had not realized on the extent (or lack of) that they were acted upon. Mr Burg has made a considerable study to show that although this law was on the books - it's judgement was very rarely used.
Likewise he has used his judgement and knowledge of the human condition to give an excellent argument that Sodomy and men confined to a small location i.e. a ship - was a realistic event, and even more so has given a convincing argument on the sexual preferences of the pirates and privateers.
Please understand - this is no 'roll in the hammock' novella, but a carefully reasoned set of arguments combined with whatever facts were available, again using an understanding of the human condition.
If one was looking for titillation on the above subject then I can only point to the ditty "The Good Ship Venus" and the altercation between the Captain and the cabin boy 'Flipper' :)
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Mr. T. S. Browning
4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating- More about English society than Piratical behaviour?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2013
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Yes it's true, you won't see Pirates of the Caribbean in the same way ever again if you read this. What I especially found interesting was the cultural background information. It would appear that homosexuality then was rarely held in the contempt to which it became accustomed more 'recently'. I must confess I did not read about 33% of this book, that's because I discovered that the last part of the book was given over to the academic bit where resources are quoted and explained. I recognise that sodomy did not take up the whole of pirates lives, it' was just one part. Having just read a few reviews by others made me realise I'd forgotten one important fact, I too first heard about this book from the TV programme QI. Well done Mr Fry!
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Stuart Romain
5.0 out of 5 stars A very interesting assessment of Pirate Private Life.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 24, 2012
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Being an avid watcher of QI, I was intrigued by this publication mentioned by Stephen Fry and I have to confess, I felt compelled to buy it and read it. I was very pleased to read what can only be described as an informative insight to the ways of the pirate classes above and below decks. Its a brilliant book and everyone should read it before prejudging homosexual behaviour.
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