Following the success of Robinson Crusoe Daniel Defoe composed a further tale of high adventure at sea. The result was this lesser-known work an inspired and hugely enjoyable "first-hand" account of pirate life. In response to an alleged letter accusing him of the worst possible deeds Captain Avery pens a reply seeking to exonerate himself from all such charges. He sees fit to provide a full account of life as captain of a pirate ship. Yet far from being the archetypal murderous villain his letters reveal him simply to be a lovable rogue albeit one with something of a penchant for fine jewels