June Meeting: Pirate Hunters by Robert Kurson

For our next selection, we’re reading Pirate Hunters: Treasure, Obsession, and the Search for a Legendary Pirate Ship by Robert Kurson, a gripping work of narrative nonfiction that blends maritime history, underwater exploration, and modern-day adventure. Best known for Shadow Divers, Kurson once again dives into the world of elite deep-sea wreck hunters, following two explorers obsessed with solving one of history’s great pirate mysteries.

The book centers on John Chatterton and John Mattera as they search for the Golden Fleece, the legendary ship of the infamous 17th-century pirate Joseph Bannister. What begins as a treasure hunt quickly becomes something far more complex: a painstaking investigation involving historical documents, dangerous dives, false leads, and the constant tension between evidence and legend. Kurson captures both the technical realities of deep-water wreck diving and the emotional pull of chasing something that may no longer exist.

At its core, Pirate Hunters is about obsession, curiosity, and the human desire to uncover hidden truths. It explores the thin line between determination and fixation, while also challenging popular myths about pirates and the romanticized stories history often tells. Fast-paced yet deeply researched, the book combines suspense with thoughtful reflection on risk, legacy, and the people willing to devote years of their lives to pursuing the unknown.