Like many of the Heros in Hubbard's books, Tom Bristol - even while living under trying circumstances - brings out the best in human character. From my viewpoint the moral of the story of this book is book is that even though there are dire times and situations, people are capable of rising above them and the degree to which one can and does do this he becomes a leader and is successful. Its is doubtful if there were characters of this Kind in real life back in the buccaneer times, but it's and interesting through to ponder what that would have been like. Presentation on the iPad is also very cool. Definitely a must read.