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PIRATES WE LIKE
Pirates, can confirm after a great deal of research, consumption of rum-based beverages and about 300 Jimmy Buffett records, are awesome. Here are a few favorite pirate and pirate-themed items as selected by Monthly staffers and associates, which we tried really hard to present totally free of arrr-based puns.
THE NOVELS OF PATRICK O’BRIAN
I have many favorite lines and scenes from Patrick O’Brian’s epic series of books on the fighting age of sail during the Napoleonic Wars, but perhaps the one that stands above is the line that Russell Crowe copped in the 2003 movie “Master and Commander: Far Side of the World:” “Not a moment to lose.” O’Brian’s 20 novels — which focus on two main characters, Royal Navy Capt. Jack Aubrey and ship’s surgeon Stephen Maturin — are some of the best fiction writing of the 20th century. And it’s not because of the stirring maritime battles — although those are always cool — but also the way O’Brian writes his characters and relationships. For pure beauty of the written English, O’Brian’s books cannot be topped. Mark Kreuzwieser
MUSIC PIRACY
I was but a lowly college freshman when Napster made its big debut, but it was clear from the first download that music had been changed forever. Music piracy is illegal, of course, but thanks to the wave of early-2000s file-sharing, music fans (eventually) got legitimate downloads, iTunes and a new model for the music industry. However you look at it, piracy helped end radio tyranny and turned music into a sea of options.
Tim Donnelly
THE RIDE AT DISNEY WORLD
Yes, I know that in actual historical fact, pirates were BEASTS, dark and vengeful, brutal and malodorous, and that if they knew about the movies, the “Pirates of the Caribbean” ride or Frontierland in general, would immediately burn the whole thing to the ground, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of country bears. But the ride was burned into my head in 1984 and is still my absolutely favorite thing at Disney World, 55-minute wait time or not.
Jeff Vrabel
TYBEE ISLAND PIRATE FEST
Tybee’s annual beachside fest of events, costumes and music (last year’s headliner was Eddie Money) returns this year from Oct. 6-9; the 2011 edition will feature a featuring parade, costume contest and the “Thieves Market” of treasures, grog and grub. www.tybeepiratefest.com
