In "Colonial Virginia's War Against Piracy" we learn of Governor Francis Nicholson's hell-bent pursuit of pirates, highlighted by his capture of French buccaneer Louis Guittar. Unlike other, more laissez-faire, colonial governors, Nicholson was no slouch. He had served in The Tangier Regiment and Lieut. Gov. of New England beforehand, and he knew the seas were rife with French pirates. Indeed, before the Golden Age of Piracy, the French were the biggest threat to British and Spanish trade. What's worse, everywhere Nicholson turned, colonial merchants were welcoming these buccaneers with open arms. The most notorious were Rhode Island, New York and Pennsylvania! Unsuccessful at defending Virginian waters at first, Nicholson refused to cave, and commissioned the HMS Shoreham under Capt Passenger. Riding high from a successful spree through the West Indies, and with a crew of 125 men, Louis Guittar, in his flagship La Paix, approached the Virginia Capes, not knowing that Nicholson - pistols loaded -was ready for him on the foredeck!

I truly enjoy these kernels of history, these exciting little episodes. The first couple of chapters were a little bumpy as I tried to follow the timeline. But once the scene is set, you will be glued to the page. The excitement of the final battle reminded me of that scene against the Acheron in Master and Commander, complete with explosive broadsides! Nicholson and Guittar are portrayed according to their contemporaries, and again, I appreciate Moss' efforts to avoid overwhelming the reader with political machinations. Moss also peppers this tale with interesting details, like the founding of the College of William & Mary being partially funded by pirates! French pirates - though just as threatening as their English counterparts and often forgotten - finally get their due in this one! ( )