The Last Pirate of New York: A Ghost Ship, a Killer, and the Birth of a Gangster Nation is by Rich Cohen. The nonfiction story of the last man hanged in New York for piracy. One night a ghost ship is found in New York harbor, when boarded the ship is covered in blood, but no bodies - only several severed fingers. The police trace the killer through the underbelly of New York and arrest Albert Hicks. The trial and execution of Hicks was followed by everyone in New York. After his conviction, he confessed to a crime spree that reached back years and resulted in the death of hundreds of people. This is a magnificently told story of the seedy side of New York and the world of American gangsters that came after. Cohen's writing is very readable and easy to follow. A great introduction to nonfiction for lovers of pirates, crime novels, and the beginning of America.
Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence).
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