Outposts Audiobook By Simon Winchester cover art

Outposts

Journeys to the Surviving Relics of the British Empire

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Outposts

By: Simon Winchester
Narrated by: Simon Winchester
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The New York Times best-selling author of Krakatoa and The Professor and the Madman takes listeners on a quirky and charming tour of the last outpost of the British empire

Originally published in 1985, Outposts is Simon Winchester's journey to find the vanishing empire, "on which the sun never sets". In the course of a three-year, 100,000 mile journey - from the chill of the Antarctic to the blue seas of the Caribbean, from the South of Spain and the tip of China to the utterly remote specks in the middle of gale-swept oceans - he discovered such romance and depravity, opulence and despair that he was inspired to write what may be the last contemporary account of the British empire.

Written with Winchester's captivating style and breadth, here are conversations and anecdotes, myths and political analysis, scenery and history - a poignant and colorful record of the lingering beat of what was once the heart of the civilized world.

©1985, 2003 Simon Winchester (P)2005 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. Politics & Government Travel Writing & Commentary World Africa Imperialism War Funny United Kingdom Latin America Imperial Japan Middle East Middle Ages Self-Determination Iran

Editorial reviews

Simon Winchester travels to the far reaches of the British Empire. Winchester reads his own sometimes oddball tales. He tells of a cricket match on St. Helena in which a fielder falls off the edge and thus is "retired, dead." On Ascension Island, an island so small it was considered a ship - the H. Ascension - any baby born was considered born at sea. Winchester's nicely modulated voice is perfect for narrating this history/travelogue. He is engaging while narrating the history and perpetually amused at the quirks of keeping the Empire alive no matter the discomfort. The production concludes with an interview in which Winchester discusses his delight at discovering that readers share his fascination with geology.

Critic reviews

"Funny, masterly, fine....Superbly written." (The New York Times Book Review)
Colorful Descriptions • Fascinating Adventure • Excellent Narration • Interesting Travelogue • Remote Destinations
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This popped up on my screen in the middle of listening to another book and i could not exit.

Frustrated

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Winchester does it again! He brings his colorful descriptions of the history and geology of Great Britain's distant appendages. Author's interview at the end of the book is extra special.

colorful stories about distant rocks

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I would highly recommend this book. Terrific narration and story telling. I want to read more if the authors books.

Makes distant places real and the stories are wonderful.

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Well, this is an earlier work, and every successful author appears to dig up some early work of lesser quality. Nevertheless, there were some interesting passages in his turn 'round the remains of the British empire. Still, I wish that he had gone to Ascension Island.

I'd still listen to anything he's written

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Another great Simon Winchester book read by the author. Some chapters were omitted. Still a worthwhile listening experience

Wish it were unabridged

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The only problem with books by Simon Winchester is that you literally can't put them down. Somehow he manages to draw you in and make you feel as if you were there with him

Another great story

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As many other reviewers point out, this is not the complete book but an abridged version that cuts out Hong Kong (not a colony anymore) the Falklands (Too big in the news at the time of the recording to bother), the Carribbean and Bermuda (Too Familiar) The author says it was abridged to trim back from the "lengthy" print version. Since I have listened to books over 50 hours and this clocks in at under 7 hours, I assume it was recorded before digital books made abridgment unnecessary. Books on cassette or cd were very expensive and the abridged versions were more practical and saleable. A fix seems easy as all they have to do is have the author read the missing chapters.
The book, as is, is still very good. An interesting look at remote parts of the world few will ever visit. That is the type of travel book I like the most. Take me somewhere I will never go and tell me about it with a wry sense of humor. The chapter on Tristan de Cunha is my favorite The author reads the book and for a change that is a good thing. He is always as good a reader as he is a writer. Not a common combination.

Hope they redo this someday to be unabridged.

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I thought I would really enjoy this book, but ended up feeling rather sad in the end. The book is well written and well read, but incredibly disheartening. It seems Britain has managed to hold these leftovers of empire in a state of benevolent neglect which is shameful.

Lost Places

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I read the print version of this book and loved it.
The audio version is well read by the author.
However, it is abridged; with a sample of another book by Winchester at the end. Why abridge it, and then add something from another book?
Also, the chapters are off. They break in the middle of a chapter. Seems easy to fix...

Good book, chapters are off

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Though I wish it wasn’t abridged, the portions left were excellent. Listening to Simon Winchester is a treat as well. A great look at forgotten corners of the World!

Fascinating adventure

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