Have you ever wondered why pirates wore gold earrings, or where the saying ‘sick as a parrot’ came from? And do you know wh the cruellest pirate in history was? John Farman’s got all the answers, so come aboard for his short and bloody history of the day-to-day life of pirates!

Ah ha me hearties. So you’re thinking of running away to experience life on a gorgeous pirate galleon. Well, before you book your one-way ticket be warned - a pirates life isn’t all fish and chips and treasure troves.From parrot poo to woodworm in the wooden leg, a life on the ocean wave wasn’t all plain sailing, you know. For starters there were the disease-ridden ships and the disgusting food. Not to mention all the other pirates out there just itching to try out their latest tortures. This book will tell you the terrible truth about life as a pirate. So before you go and nail your colours to the mast, perhaps you’d better have a look …