I love a good boat book and The Wager is no exception. Containing all the hallmarks of a good maritime tale-decisions that only make sense because science barely exists, miraculously lucky cures for scurvy, absolutely outrageous last-minute-saves, and The Empire doing something both incredibly evil and incredibly silly-Grann charts an entertaining read that avoids becoming to jargon-y or dry. It is really quite a story. 

It is especially refreshing to see a boat book that is willing to engage with forces of the Empire and that takes pains to convey what little facts remain of the subjects that did not get to print their side of the story. Not only is it responsible and ethical narrative non-fiction, it strips a great deal of the noble mythos from the story and provides a stark reminder of how bloody and ultimately pointless the endeavor was. I wish there had been even more to this section, but without historical record I understand the limitations.