A General History of the Pyrates is a book from 1724 that provides biographies of contemporary pirates and has significantly shaped the popular image of pirates. The author, who goes by the name Captain Charles Johnson, is thought to be a pseudonym. The book details the lives of notorious pirates and their adventures, contributing to the romanticized view of pirates with missing limbs, buried treasure, and the Jolly Roger flag. It's considered a primary source for pirate biographies and has influenced later pirate literature and culture.