Two of mankind’s most persistent quests—“get rich quick” and “something for nothing”—provide the power driving these tales of treasure-seekers in action. Renowned storytellers like Louis L’Amour and Jack London join real-life adventurers risking their lives for riches they think are worth the dangers. Buried treasure, creeks glittering with gold nuggets, sunken galleons filled with Spanish doubloons—the mother lodes are as varied as the men pursuing them. Some of the seekers will be rewarded; others face tragedy in remote places, lost among the jungles, mountains, and oceans. In both fiction and non-fiction, these stories make treasure hunting a real-life experience, in gripping prose that makes the reader of these stories part of the hunt itself.

"There is something about a treasure," says Joseph Conrad in Nostromo, "that fastens on a man's mind." And, yes, there is something about the subject of treasure hunting that continues to fascinate us. One only needs to browse the Web to discover a whole netherworld of treasure-hunting magazines, metal-detector clubs, and lost-mine information exchanges that apparently engage the funds and spare time of thousands of hopefuls. But digging up tin cans and discarded horseshoes or crashing through the Superstitions in a "recreational vehicle" somehow goes against the romantic grain. Charles Elliott recaptures the essential romance of the search in this collection of classic stories. Many are true - or purport to be. They encompass all the great themes - obsession, tragedy, danger, crime, frustration, terrible physical challenge, success and disappointment. They take place under the sea, in jungles, on desert islands, even in the attics of old houses. The treasure itself is not always gold, silver, and diamonds - it may be lost documents, the solution to a historical puzzle, or an unexpected archaeological discovery. What is common to them all is the excitement of the chase and the possibility - irrational, perhaps, but unavoidable -that treasure really is there for the finding.

Sixteen spine-tingling tales from the dark side of our nation's literary history include "The Gray Champion" by Nathaniel Hawthorne, "Ligeia" by Edgar Allan Poe, plus fables by Sarah Orne Jewett, Henry James, Mark Twain, Mary Wilkins Freeman, Ambrose Bierce, Edith Wharton, Willa Cather, Frank R. Stockton, Parke Godwin, and others.

This publication is a major evaluation of the 1970s American cinema, including cult film directors such as Bogdanovich Altman and Peckinpah.

Enjoy the best sea adventures, treasure hunt tales and bloody battles, along with learning the truth behind the legends, the real life stories that inspired so many writers and produced so many beloved classics: History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pirates (Captain Charles Johnson) The Book of Buried Treasure Treasure Island (R. L. Stevenson) Blackbeard: Buccaneer (R. D. Paine) Pieces of Eight (Le Gallienne) Captain Singleton (Defoe) Gold-Bug (Edgar Allan Poe) Hearts of Three (Jack London) The Dark Frigate (C. B. Hawes) Isle of Pirate's Doom (Robert E. Howard) Swords of Red Brotherhood (Howard) Queen of Black Coast (Howard) Barbarossa—King of the Corsairs Black Vulmea (Howard) Afloat and Ashore (James F. Cooper) Homeward Bound (Cooper) Red Rover (Cooper) Facing the Flag (Jules Verne) A Pirate of the Caribbees (H. Collingwood) Pirate Gow (Daniel Defoe) The King of Pirates (Defoe) The Pirate (Walter Scott) Rose of Paradise (Howard Pyle) Captain Sharkey (Arthur Conan Doyle) The Pirate (Frederick Marryat) Three Cutters (Marryat) Madman and the Pirate (R. M. Ballantyne) The Offshore Pirate (F. Scott Fitzgerald) Coral Island (Ballantyne) Under the Waves (Ballantyne) Pirate City (Ballantyne) Captain Boldheart (Dickens) Master Key (L. Frank Baum) A Man to His Mate (J. Allan Dunn) Tales of the Fish Patrol (Jack London) Robinson Crusoe (Defoe) Peter Pan and Wendy (J. M. Barrie) Mysterious Island (Jules Verne) Count of Monte Cristo (Dumas) Ghost Pirates (W. H. Hodgson) The Pirate Island (H. Collingwood) Among Malay Pirates The Capture of Panama, 1671 The Malay Proas (James F. Cooper) The Daughter of the Great Mogul (Defoe) Morgan at Puerto Bello The Ways of the Buccaneers Narrative of the Capture of the Ship Derby, 1735 The Fight Between the Dorrill and the Moca Jaddi the Malay Pirate The Terrible Ladrones The Female Captive The Passing of Mogul Mackenzie Sea-Wolves of the Mediterranean Pirates of Panama...

The first comprehensive history of magical treasure hunting from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, revealing a magical universe of treasure spirits, and wizards who tried to deal with them. Combining history and anthropology, this study sees treasure hunting as an expression of shifting economic mentalities and changing ideas about history.

The Pirates' Chronicles: Greatest Sea Adventure Books & Treasure Hunt Tales represents an unparalleled collection, sweeping through the turbulent waves of pirate legends and explorations across the seven seas. This anthology brings together a diverse yet harmonious blend of literary styles, from the thrilling adventures penned by Jules Verne to the intricate psychological depth of Edgar Allan Poes narratives. The collection spans a broad spectrum of themes, including the quest for freedom, the insatiable hunger for treasure, and the human struggle against nature's unforgiving elements. Through tales of swashbuckling heroes and villainous brigands, the anthology underscores the timeless allure of nautical adventures and the eternal search for fortune and glory. The contributing authors, giants in their respective literary eras, bring a wealth of backgrounds that illuminate the anthology's overarching themes. Figures like Daniel Defoe and Alexandre Dumas, with their foundational works in adventure fiction, alongside F. Scott Fitzgeralds nuanced exploration of the American spirit, represent a dialogue across centuries concerning bravery, greed, and the quest for the unknown. The convergence of these distinct literary voices, each rooted in their historical and cultural contexts, presents a cohesive narrative that reflects the complexities and variegated experiences of maritime life. This anthology transcends mere entertainment, offering readers a precious cargo of insight into the human condition as depicted through the lens of sea adventurism. From academics to aficionados of classic literature, The Pirates' Chronicles is a must-embark journey that promises not just tales of high seas but also a deep dive into the heart of human ambition, resilience, and the perennial chase after tales and treasures hidden beyond the horizon. The anthology is not only an educational odyssey through the evolution of adventure literature but a vibrant testament to the enduring legacy of pirates and their influence on our collective imagination.