Gideon Defoe's second foray into pirate humor, The Pirates! In an Adventure with Ahab (or Whaling, if you read any edition but the American) is an utterly silly short book filled with non sequiturs, unexplained (and inexplicable) plot twists, and that distinct brand of dry wit that can and should be only deployed by Certain British Authors.
In this adventure, the Pirate Captain and his crew (who aren't generally given names, but are described throughout as "the pirate with ____ [insert feature here]" - the red scarf, gout, the hook for a hand, &c.)" must find a way to repay the dauntingly dangerous Cutlass Liz (of Nantucket) for their new ship. After various attempts (a variety show in Vegas, the discovery of the 'ultimate treasure') they meet up with Captain Ahab and take up his offer to hunt down the White Whale in exchange for a reward. Hilarity ensues, of course.
Punny and amusing, this is a good diversion.
