My Life as a Mexican Pirate: A True Story Paperback – February 26, 2020

I read a lot, and this is hands-down my favorite travelogue/adventure book now of all time.The story immediately sucks you in and has you on the edge of your seat about what will happen next.From suicide bombers, to bribery, to our hero being nearly murdered, cat-fights, kidnapping, drunken debauchery, picking up chicks, and all kinds of shady characters... it keeps moving along fast. It's a true story too.Sometimes the protagonist makes very bone-headed decisions that gets him into thorny situations that anyone with common sense could have easily avoided. But his pain and drama paves the way for our entertainment and a good story to tell.Unfortunately, most people don't read books anymore so I fear the general populace will never find this little gem. And I don't think the mass media would touch this with a 10 foot pole (as it's not "politically correct"... at all). We're in an age where the best literary works just get buried under a mountain of trash. That's a shame.My biggest criticism is... I didn't want it to end, and wanted to go on more adventures with the Mexican Pirates!

Book is amazing!

Everyone knows that pirates roam the coasts of Somalia. But did you know Mexican pirates are known to lurk here too? Well, not really… they’re actually just a few drunk Irishmen…What started as a joke on a lad’s holiday in Europe, became a lifestyle for adventures in Africa, the Middle East and Europe. The wildest of these stories are featured in My Life as a Mexican Pirate, Mark Zolo’s second travel memoir.The bulk of the book takes place in West Africa. The first epic adventure begins with Mark, his pal, and his parents in The Gambia. After jettisoning his folks in Senegal, the trusty duo make their way across the Western African coast to Lagos, Nigeria. Along the way they encounter scammers, prostitutes, civil wars, ambassadors, voodoo witchcraft and more.Although sex is a running theme in the book, the cornucopia of (pirate) booty is put aside in places like Syria and Palestine where the narrative takes a poignant turn. The abrupt change in style reminded me of the Seinfeld episode where George gives up sex and becomes a genius. When Mark puts the debauchery and hedonism aside, he provides a unique and insightful look at complicated political situations. The insight is a rare glimpse at areas of the world that have faced ongoing political turmoil. Few Westerners, for example, have journeyed to places like Somalia and Syria, and who can blame them. So an insider’s look at these destinations is much welcomed.I’m not sure what to make of Mexican pirates traveling to active war zones though. It’s such an absurd notion, but so deliciously hilarious. It’s pretty clear that Mark and his pals didn’t travel to these places for YouTube videos or Instagram likes. It wasn’t adventure tourism, per se, but rather adventure for the sake of adventure–there’s a difference here. Mark has a deep desire to seek out adrenaline and adventure, whether it’s cruising the streets of Mogadishu in an armored vehicle, or going to an Irish pub in Damascus during the Syrian Civil War (yes, really).At times, the book seems too good to be true. Not the crazy destinations he went too, but the notches he racks up over time. Every country he steps foot into he captures a new “flag”, that is, a special notch one gets from banging a girl from a new country. Though these sexcapades seem more believable in that he is totally candid in his interactions. In the Dominican Republic, he went from sleeping with Miss Dominican Republic, to then a few days later finding himself on his knees, staring up at a Domincan crackw**** as he… okay, I’ll stop there. In fact, it’s one of the most repulsive stories I’ve ever read. My stomach literally churned as I laughed uncomfortably while reading it. Cheers, Mark…Mark certainly does earn the nickname of “The Indiana Jones of the Manosphere”. The perfect timing and escalation of his bedding of a big-bootied Omani women, reminded me of the famous Indiana Jones scene where he is escaping the temple and slides under the door just in time. Mark’s balls and charm are really impressive (And no, I haven’t actually seen his balls). His behavior and banter should be studied by guys who want to improve their dating lives. You can find more at his blog Naughty Nomad where he has documented years of his travels and lays alike.Perhaps the most impressive thing about Mark is that now he has a seemingly normal life, or at least one isn’t as crazy as it used to be. He now lives in Malta, where he operates several pubs and has invested in real estate. I think he may even be settled down with a girl! I find this impressive because many other guys who have led this kind of life haven’t turned out so well. Roosh V, for example, after spending half his life fornicating with foreign broads had a life crisis, and is now a fundamentalist Christian and a bedfellow of the alt-Right. Day Game gurus like Krauser have had to detox from game, and re-wire their brains to be able to have a somewhat normal sex life. Victor Pride from Bold & Determined, while not a dating guru, also recently announced that he became a born-again Christian after a long-hiatus. Mark has, as far as I can see, come out unscathed and is thriving.My Life as a Mexican Pirate is one hell of a read. It’s undoubtedly unique. When he tells the story for receiving an award from the Mayor of Mogadishu as the first tourists to the city (in recent years?), it’s clear that he and his pals are one of a kind and that this book is not to be missed!

"The true man wants two things - danger and play” said Nietzsche and this book takes that to the max.This book is about the author's Mexican pirate adventures including the founding of the pirates of the sangrian, getting mugged in Haiti, the siege of West Africa, consensually violent sex with Miss Domincan Republic, several near death experiences (yes really), the Levenatine crusades, a close encounter with a suicide bomber in Somalia and a lot more.This is much more than a travel memoir condensed into a heady cocktail. There is a sense of brotherhood here as well as the author's own personal lessons and reflections.Such a great read I read it in just two sittings. Laugh out loud funny and almost impossible to put down.A must read for any budding pirate - yar!!

Just to give you an idea about myself, one of my favorite writers is Tucker Max and one of my favorite films is the Wolf of Wall Street. Combine the 2 and set it as a travel memoir and you have My Life As A Mexican Pirate. Forget your typical travel destinations such as Cancun, Malaga and Amsterdam. Mark Zolo takes us to Somalia, Syria and the depths of West Africa. This is the definition of extreme travel. To quote William Wallace "Every man dies. Not every man really lives" This memoir is living to the fullest with the good and the bad.

I've followed Mark's adventures since naughty nomad, and have become an addicted follower since. I was even lucky enough to have my Naughty Nomad copy signed by the GOAT himself. I once lent it to an ex, and wouldn't break up with her until I resecured my copy. I've taken a far more riskier and adventurous approach in my own travels and have reeped the benefits from it. I strongly suggest this book to anybody looking to get the most from worldly travels.

Worst book I have ever started, reads like a conquest log by a frat boy! Never made it past the first few chapters.

I read his first book and already knew what I was getting into.I can very much say that this book has even more wild adventures, crazy stories and unexpected twists. It's crazy and amazing to think that all of this is a true story. It compiles a bunch of entertaining, hilarious, inspiring and often tense stories. Once again, I have to give his African travels my hat, as it has some of the funniest and craziest stories, but even more insane is his travel to Somalia.I'll leave it at that. If you're a young guy who seeks adventure, this is a must read.

Is it sometimes a bit too much? Yes! Does it leave you speechless? Yes! Is it incredibly entertaining? Yes! Did I finish it in one day! Absolutely!

Not many surprises in this book for whoever is familiar with Mr. Zolo’s mischiefs. Expect a lot of stories about drunkenness, sex and quarrels with local people (often girls, sometimes authorities). This gets a bit repetitive over the chapters.Mr Zolos deserves, however, the credit for visiting and describing zones not well-known by the average tourist (i.e. warzones, ghettos, etc.), even though one might question the soundness of such choices that put lives at risk (not only Zolo’s but his friends’ as well and the people he meets in each destination).These destinations are, in my view, the most interesting passages in the book and I regret that they are only superficially described.I also appreciated the last chapter, where Zolo shows more maturity and hindsight.In a nutshell, a light and enjoyable reading that will not challenge you intellectually but will entertain you during your next holiday

As an avid fan of the naughtynomad blog and having enjoyed Mark's first book I was looking forward to this and it does not disappoint. Packed full of great stories of travel, adventure and debauchery in some of the dodgiest locations in the world. Mark and his buddies have some real balls to not only go the places they did but all dressed as Mexican pirates and the antics they got up to its amazing they are still alive to tell the tale. If you're into adventure and chasing skirt, this is essential reading. 5 stars

I always enjoy reading Mark. I was inspiring by his first book to also start travelling. I love his writing style and his humour. I highly recommend this book. My favourite is still his first, but this one is also worth a read. Great job man!