Since I've been promoting the book over on the TV/Movies MB, I thought that I'd toss the recommendation up here.

You see, the 4th, and hopefully final, Pirates of the Caribbean movie has the sub-title On Stranger Tides. When I first thought that, I was confused. You see, I had known that one of my favorite authors, Tim Powers, had sold the rights to his great pirate/fantasy novel to Disney. I just had never believed they'd make it into a Pirates of the Caribbean movie... much changed I'm sure. Of course, there are certain elements of the book, when you squint at it, you can sort of see the resemblance.

Anyway, if you can find a copy of the novel, make sure that you pick it up and give it a read... most any of Powers' novels actually: Anubis Gates, Last Call, The Stress of Her Regard, and On Stranger Tides are my favorites.

The story is a great and entertaining mash up of both pirate and fantasy elements. The cast of characters include Black Beard, Ponce de Leon, and other 'historical' figures, as well as a great less than perfect hero in Jack Shandy. It also features the search for the Fountain of Youth, which is the key plot element that Disney has included in their movie.

Anyway, there you go. Read Tim Powers.