Pirate Freedom by Gene Wolfe

I think maybe Gene Wolfe was inspired to write Pirate Freedom by reading Empire of Blue Water (see my review of last year). I further think, that since he's a Sci-Fi writer he framed the whole thing with a Sci-Fi device. Great story, if confusing at times. It implies a lot about the main character's life that it never explains. That, and the final Sci-Fi twist give a reader something to think about even when the book is closed, even when it is done. And the factually accurate pirate stuff isn't used like a lesson, only included as it serves plot and character. Very professional entertainment ****