Thomas Carey's biographical history of the most infamous pirate captains is an engrossing and frank account of ship robbers of yore. Published in 1825, it was among the first popular omnibuses of piracy.

Carey describes how the characters of the captains differ; some are ruthless and bloodthirsty thieves, whose success hinged upon the point of a cutlass and the barrel of a gun. Others however are gentlemanly, displaying characteristics of mercy and charm, often winning over captured sailors and crews to their cause. All of the captains within this book won their notoriety through years of practiced sailing and naval combat; some would capture entire ships intact and split their command, many had to lay low upon islands for months at a time, regrouping their crews when the acute dangers of execution or capture had passed.

The pirate captain's life is shown to be one of leadership and peril which attracted men from a variety of backgrounds. Some were educated and from monied families, while others were of humble station yet gifted in charisma and seamanship. All desired the excitement and riches of plundering ships at sea; of evading the navies of Britain, France, Spain and other nations; of leading a skilled group of likeminded sailors, all of whom received share of the booty.