© Keith Thomson, pittore statunitense (1965) [+] "Utopia" (2025)

Born to be Hanged by Keith Thomson, is, without a doubt, the "dudes rock"-ingest book I've read all year. An account of one of the most ambitious raids of the Golden Age of Piracy taken primarily from the diaries of six men who participated in the voyage, it was a nice change of pace from the tales of shipwreck and tragedy I often gravitate towards. I'd like to read more books like this (well-informed and engaging accounts of the Golden Age of Piracy), so if you have any recommendations, please let me know!

In celebration of finishing the book, I also made a sweet avocado dish described by one of the book's protagonists, the seafaring naturalist William Dampier, in his accounts of his voyages around the world. Tasting History with Max Miller describes this as an early form of guacamole, but it's got a much more dessert-y flavor profile. This one's definitely getting added to my regular cooking rotation.

books I’ve read in 2025 📖 no. 061

Born to Be Hanged: The Epic Story of the Gentlemen Pirates Who Raided the South Seas, Rescued a Princess, and Stole a Fortune by Keith Thomson

Keith Thomson is an American author of spy thriller novels. Before becoming a writer, he played semi-pro baseball in France and was a cartoonist for New York Newsday. His first jobs as a writer involved him writing television commercials, a short film that was played at the Sundance Festival, screenplays and news articles about national security. Now Keith is a New York Times bestselling author. He lives in Alabama.

Drummand Clark

Once a Spy (2010) — Buy on Amazon!

Twice a Spy (2011) — Buy on Amazon!

Standalone Novels

Pirates of Pensacola (2005) — Buy on Amazon!

Gus Openshaw's Whale-Killing Journal (2006) — Buy on Amazon!

7 Grams of Lead (2014) — Buy on Amazon!