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In the seas off Madagascar, Nova Scotia and even Connecticut, the siren call of buried riches has lured treasure hunters and adventurers over many a century. 

Many seek the wealth Capt. Kidd accrued during years of pirating and then had to hide when his arrest was imminent. 

In popular lore, Capt. Kidd’s name is synonymous with the fearsome, ruthless privateers of the pirate age. But the truth about William Kidd is more nuanced — and interesting. 

Historian Samuel Marquis, who is also William Kidd’s ninth great-grandson, writes in his new biography of Kidd: 

Marquis’ previous books include “Blackbeard: The Birth of America.” His new book is “

Captain Kidd: A True Story of Treasure and Betrayal

,” and he joins Kerri Miller on this week’s Big Books and Bold Ideas to sort reality from the scuttlebutt when it comes to the age of pirates.

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Was Capt. Kidd a notorious pirate whose ill-gotten treasure is still hunted today? Or was he an experienced sea captain who got caught up in the geopolitics of his day? Parse the true story from the scuttlebutt on this week’s Big Books and Bold Ideas. 

Be there pirates? The true story of Capt. Kidd

Side-by-side image. On the left is a man with a cowboy hat and green vest. On the right is a book cover for "Captain Kidd," with a painting of a ship.

Be there pirates? The true story of Capt. Kidd

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