Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Where Have I Been? Looking for Treasure (Island)

Sorry for the long hiatus. Sometimes, in spite of a firm commitment to piracy, the World just gets in the way.

What have I been up to? Well, in addition to my house flooding with sewage (amazing how much creativity a thing like that takes out of you) I’ve been working on my latest book: Treasure Island Explained. And getting ready to Port Washington Pirate Daze (formerly the Port Washington Pirate Fest.)

Image result for port washington pirate Daze

The book:

I’ve read Treasure Island several times, and have been on a years’ long quest to see as many different movie versions as possible. Four or five years ago, I refreshed my direct knowledge of the novel by listening to on CD over several days during my morning commute.

A good reader can add a lot to the listener’s understanding of a book, and after a week or so of commuter-listening, I felt that I had a good, deep grasp of what Robert Lewis Stevenson was trying to say. But I was also aware of just how hard some of the vocabulary is.

I’ve been reading about pirates, and ships, for over ten years, and I’ve been reading history for thirty. In addition, I have the skill of picking up vocabulary in context. I’m not sure this is taught in schools anymore. But between old-fashioned words, pirate slang, and poor grammar, accurately recorded, there was ample opportunity for some people to struggle with this book.



For a long time, I had a desire to create an annotated version. All the words or concepts that folks might not “get” would be explained in sidebars. The book would be more readable to all the people who might enjoy it.

Image result for pirate vocabulary

One problem stood in my way – no digital copy of the book’s contents that could be converted to Word.. Sure, I could have typed it all out from one of my several hard copies. But if you folks haven’t noticed yet, I’m not an especially good typist.

Finally, a friend with better computer skills helped me out. (Hi, Katherine!)  At last, the annotated Treasure Island could become a reality.

Looking up words, reading up on the English Justice System, and generally keeping my nose to the grindstone to make this edition happen has taken an incredible amount of time. The job became consuming. How do you fire one of those old pistols? What are the parts of the ship? And what about the song, “Yo ho ho and a Bottle of Rum?” So many things needed to be included. I lost sleep, unable to go to bed with the project incomplete.

Then there was the proof-reading, the beta reader, (Hi, Jeff!) the re-proof reading, the formatting issues and the search for cover artwork. Finally, though a book emerged that I could be proud of. It went out to the printer, and copies are now availableon Amazon.



Along the way, I read Robert Lewis Stevenson’s masterpiece more closely than ever before. Even on the surface, it’s a great read, exciting and engrossing. But reading closely, it’s possible to see some wonderful inside jokes that aren’t immediately apparent. In one instance, Long Joh Silver askes another pirate a question about the sails, and by the time all the words are defined and the purpose of the objects in question are known, Silver has just asked “Are you some kind of blockhead?”

Stevenson also follows the tradition of characters saying “the deuce” to avoid naming the devil. But Long John Silver freely says ‘to the devil with you. ” Instead, he avoids saying the name of God, in its place referring to “The Powers.”

It’s also interesting to compare the book to the movies. In the novel, Dr. Livesey is quite hard on Jim for having run off to spy on the pirates. Never mind that Jim is only about 13 years old, and he had the best intentions. In spite of saving them all, Jim has to face some hard words from his companions. Most movies leave that out, but it says a lot about what was expected of “Englishmen” back in the day.

One thing that the movies and the book have in common. At the end, Long John Silver is still at large. This, I think, is the thing that makes the book a classic. We can still dream of running off with the famous pirate.



Treasure Island has defined the image of pirates for generations. If you haven’t read the book, you should. Check out a copy from your local library, or maybe pick up a copy of Treasure Island Explained. You’ll be glad you did.  


13 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. REAL AND GENUINE ONLINE LOVE SPELL CASTER TO BRING EX LOVER URGENTLY CALL OR WHATSAPP +2348118829899. 

      I want to use this opportunity I have to say a big thanks to Dr Great for getting back my ex husband. I’m Linda Gibson from USA, after 7 years of marriage my husband left me for another woman I did whatever I could to get him back but all I did was in vain I was sad, but I didn’t lose hope of getting him back because I had faith in God. So I search online on how to get my husband back, and I came across a post of Dr Great of how he helped a lady to get back her ex, I contacted him and told him the pain I was going through, he told me what to do and I did it, then he casted a love spell for me 48 hours later my husband called me and told me he is sorry for what he did and that he misses me very much, later that day he came back home and beg for my forgiveness, since then our love grew stronger. For the marvelous things Dr Great has done for me it would be unfair for me not to let the whole world know that such a powerful spell caster do live. If you want to get back your ex fast email Dr Great at infinitylovespell@gmail.com or infinitylovespell@yahoo.com or add him up on WhatsApp +2348118829899 Blog: lindagibson90.blogspot.com view his blog http://infinitylovespell1.blogspot.com








      REAL AND GENUINE ONLINE LOVE SPELL CASTER TO BRING EX LOVER URGENTLY CALL OR WHATSAPP +2348118829899. 

      I want to use this opportunity I have to say a big thanks to Dr Great for getting back my ex husband. I’m Linda Gibson from USA, after 7 years of marriage my husband left me for another woman I did whatever I could to get him back but all I did was in vain I was sad, but I didn’t lose hope of getting him back because I had faith in God. So I search online on how to get my husband back, and I came across a post of Dr Great of how he helped a lady to get back her ex, I contacted him and told him the pain I was going through, he told me what to do and I did it, then he casted a love spell for me 48 hours later my husband called me and told me he is sorry for what he did and that he misses me very much, later that day he came back home and beg for my forgiveness, since then our love grew stronger. For the marvelous things Dr Great has done for me it would be unfair for me not to let the whole world know that such a powerful spell caster do live. If you want to get back your ex fast email Dr Great at infinitylovespell@gmail.com or infinitylovespell@yahoo.com or add him up on WhatsApp +2348118829899 Blog: lindagibson90.blogspot.com view his blog http://infinitylovespell1.blogspot.com

      Delete
    2. how i got my Ex lover back after a divorced by the help of DR NCUBE a marriage/relationship specialist. contact him if you need help WHATSAPP DR NCUBE ON +2348155227532
      his email is..... drncube03@gmail.com


      he also have #herbs for
      #hiv/aids
      #cancerdisease
      #fibroid
      #diabetes


      Delete
  2. Hi There,
    I have just released a Kickstarter 'Pirates of Treasure Island'. I thought you might like a look:). Here is the link www.kickstarter.com/projects/656177818/pirates-of-treasure-island
    Cheers, John

    ReplyDelete
  3. I really love the content you posted, it is always super helpful and informative. Keep posting such an amazing article, I love reading all your blogs.

    ReplyDelete
  4. My name is Dawn Drury I had struggle relationship with my husband in the past which led to divorce with my first husband. The memories of my husband was still in me and i realized how much i loved him and have missed him. I wept bitterly that night thinking i have lost the man that i have had so much love for. I asked for advise on what to do and a friend of mine gave me a contact of DR JOHN SOCO , i consulted him and to his very best with his powerful spells he helped me with a reunion marriage love spell to returned my ex husband back to me, in just 3 days i had encounter with a spiritual reunion prayers with DR JOHN SOCO everything turn around for good in my life, I am now happily living with my husband again and sort out the divorce issues. I testify here today that DR JOHN SOCO is powerful it can resolve all problem in a broken relationship with love once. contact him for solutions to any problems. email him at: drjohnsoco @ gmail.com You can also WhatsApp him on +1 706 871 4571 .

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is an awesome article, Given such an extraordinary measure of data in it, These sort of articles keeps the customers excitement for the site, and keep sharing more ... favorable circumstances. BUY REAL AND FAKE BANK NOTES ONLINE ,I will also take the advantage to ask for your permission to join our TELEGRAM GROUP

    ReplyDelete
  6. LOVE SPELL TO GET YOUR EX LOVER BACK
    MY EX LOVER IS BACK (DR OMOKPO) JOY BACK TO MY SCATTERED HOME THE FAMILY THAT I THOUGHT I HAVE LOST TO AND ANOTHER WOMAN FOREVER.
    Thank you my helper, dromokpo@gmail.com You helped me to restore peace back into my broken home with your spell casting power. When I thought my husband was gone forever you brought him back to me and my kids again. My husband was in the arms of another woman. They almost got married but with your help. Now my husband is back and now stays at home caring for the children as we used to be with our families. If anybody has any relationship or health issue kindly reach him on: dromokpo@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Amazing and intersting article post for us. It look you spend a lot of time or effort to make this one. Now it's time to avail chauffeur service manchester for more information.

    ReplyDelete
  8. WOW!!!!!.... HAPPY TO WIN MY EX-BOYFRIEND BACK.. USA.. THANKS ((R.BUCKLER11@GMAIL.COM)),,,,,,

    ReplyDelete
  9. Experience the epitome of luxury with Amid Designs' exquisite collection of Luxurious Home Decor. Transform your living space into a sanctuary with our carefully crafted pieces. Discover the perfect balance of opulence and sophistication with Amid Designs' exclusive furnishings and decor. Visit us today and elevate your home to new heights of elegance.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am here to enlighten everyone about the good works of Dr Ilekhojie. Me and my ex wife have been having issues for the best part of 2 years now and we have tried all counseling and talking with our parents but nothing was working. We fight over everything and separation was imminent until I saw a review of Dr Ilekhojie. I contacted him and informed him of my condition. He promised to perform a reconciliation ritual which will ensure that the connection between me and my wife is restored. It has been a week now since I have sort his help and things are starting to get better between me and my wife. We have started living in the same bedroom again and we have both informed our lawyers to put the divorce plans on hold. I am so happy now that I can be able to enjoy my wife again. Reach out to Dr Ilekhojie if you have problems in your marriage. Email: gethelp05@gmail.com or WhatsApp/Telegram/Viber +2348147400259

    ReplyDelete