Peter T. Leeson's The Invisible Hook: The Hidden Economics of Pirates

Abstract

Peter T. Leeson's "The Invisible Hook: The Hidden Economics of Pirates" is a book that will appeal to the economist, historian, or layperson with interest in the seemingly disparate topics of economics and the world of pirates and buccaneers. Leeson is clear and methodical in his writing, skillfully building his argument from the bottom up. His discussion of economics is thorough and comprehensible to both a Ph.D. economist and a high school student. Personally, I had little interest in early 18th century pirates and piratical behavior and thus I expected to find little of interest in the volume. Instead I found a fantastic explanation of economics within the unusual backdrop of the world of pirates.