This is a short but very dense book. I loved the playful approach to the history of ideas, playing with the invention of philosophy and pirate communities. I did enjoy the stories of pirate societies and pirate rulers and intermarriages and gender dynamics and trade and economy. I think because this was an audiobook, I missed out on some of the intricacies, but I found this very interesting and a fun listen.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* This was a really interesting book to listen to! I have not read many books about pirates lol so i learned alot from this! Would buy!

First of all, I am so thankful to NetGalley, David Graeber, and FSG for granting me Advanced Listener Access to this very informative and historically-accurate depiction of pirates and their origin within old and modern times. I've told many people, but I like to equate non-fiction books with podcasts because I learn so much that I wouldn't have any. Enlightenment is an understatement because I feel refreshed with information and intel about this time in history.

Always seems worth reading perspectives that refuse to assume the centrality of Europe. First a dissertation and field work in anthropology, then an essay within a different book, finally into this short book of its own.

David Graeber was a keen observer of the human condition. This is such a cliche phrase but it really does apply to Graeber. No matter what subject he uses as the jumping off point for the study of human life, he finds a way to investigate new ways of thinking and living. This book, publishes posthumously, is not the great epic that his previous titles may have been, but its interesting and thought provoking and would please anyone considered in how we have become who are (p.s--there are pirates too!)

This was just fine. I requested it because it was Graeber. This was interesting, but not nearly as good as his other work. The reader was very good. I enjoyed the way he went all in on Graeber’s asides and footnotes. Thanks for the ARC. I really appreciate it.