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Privateers and Pirates: 1730-1840 is the latest in Osprey Military’s series of military and social histories. Previous volumes by Misters Konstam and McBride have included Elizabethan Sea Dogs: 1560-1605, Buccaneers: 1620-1690, and Pirates: 1660-1730. Privateers and Pirates focuses mainly on privateering during the American Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, and the War of 1812.

Privateers and Pirates briefly discusses the Colonial roots of privateering before jumping into the American Revolution where privateers were vital to the American war effort and economy. Between 1775 and 1783, 792 letters of marque were issued by the Colonies compared to the commissioning of only 50 warships for the American navy. Privateers and Pirates describes privateering during the early years of the war - ships, crews, ports, weapons, tactics, and the English response -and how privateering changed throughout the war. There are particularly detailed accounts on the granting of a privateer’s letter of marque, and the recruiting of a crew. The descriptions are peppered with historical accounts of privateer actions such as John Paul Jones‘ raid on the Earl of Selkirk‘s house in the north-east of England (Jones later returned the silver after the English press accused him of piracy and he began to doubt the legality of the raid). The book then moves on to the War of 1812 and the last pirates in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean during the 1820s. The careers of seven captains are described, including John Paul Jones and Jean Laffite. The book ends with a one-page bibliography of general privateering histories.

As with other Osprey books, ten full-color plates are included featuring scenes from the period such as early Revolutionary War privateers off the coast of Rhode Island and Robert Surcouf boarding a British East Indiaman. Brief descriptions of the scenes shown in each plate are provided at the end of the book. The text throughout is illustrated with period engravings and paintings.

Ok, so what has this got to do with roleplaying? Plenty. If you are interested in running a naval game inspired by Horatio Hornblower or the Napoleonic or Revolutionary wars, Privateers and Pirates is an excellent sourcebook. Its presentation of the laws, social structures, and operations of privateering also makes Privateers and Pirates a useful sourcebook for any fantasy or space opera game involving privateering. It would be particularly useful for a Star Wars campaign where privateering would be an effective tactic in the rebellion against the Empire.