Over the Edge of the World Audiobook By Laurence Bergreen cover art

Over the Edge of the World

Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe

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Over the Edge of the World

By: Laurence Bergreen
Narrated by: Laurence Bergreen
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In 1519 Magellan and his fleet of five ships set sail from Seville, Spain, to discover a water route to the fabled Spice Islands in Indonesia, where the most sought-after commodities (cloves, pepper, and nutmeg) flourished. Three years later, a handful of survivors returned with an abundance of spices from their intended destination, but with just one ship carrying 18 emaciated men. During their remarkable voyage around the world the crew endured starvation, disease, mutiny, and torture. Many men died, including Magellan, who was violently killed in a fierce battle.

This is the first full account in nearly half a century of this voyage into history: a tour of the world emerging from the Middle Ages into the Renaissance; a startling anthropological account of tribes, languages, and customs unknown to Europeans; and a chronicle of a desperate grab for commercial and political power.

©2003 Laurence Bergreen (P)2003 HarperCollinsPublishers, Inc. Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Civilization Expeditions & Discoveries Historical World Middle Ages Renaissance

Critic reviews

"[Journalist Bergreen] superbly recreates Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan's obsessive 16th-century quest....Bergreen writes this powerful tale of adventure with a strong presence and rich detail." (Publishers Weekly)

"Bergreen tells a well-rounded story of Magellan....He also puts the voyage into its historical context....Fascinating reading for history buffs, and a great story that rivals any seagoing adventure." (Booklist)
Fascinating Historical Account • Epic Adventure Story • Acquired Taste • Detailed Exploration Narrative • Pleasant Voice
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I held off on buying this book for months because of the one-star rating by the listener who could not stand the author's voice. Well, I wish I hadn't waited. Sure, the guy's voice is a bit geeky, but few of us have a voice like James Earl Jones and others. Having the author read the book lends authenticity. I had no problems with it and found the book fascinating. It the subject matter interests you, do not hesitate. You will enjoy this book.

The Voice is NOT a Problem

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Very interesting, exciting and inspiring - the narrative is engaging and the positions pretty nuanced.

Nuanced

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Excellent story of hardship, luck, death and survival. But authors should stick to writing and not narrating.

Amazing adventure

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This would have benefitted greatly from the services of a professional narrator. The author’s own reading might have added authority but, alas, he plods along with little expressive enthusiasm. The story itself treats the huge volume of facts as all of equal importance.

Reads like a history professor

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The author reads this book. His voice may not be "Heston's" but his elocution and delivery were transparent to the great story. I was enthralled by the unbelievable misadventures of these 16th century "men from the moon" who dealt with their new environs with a middle age mindset. Great story. I recommend it.

A good listen

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, of course (and already did...). It is almost unimaginable that such an undertake happened in the years of 1518-21!!!! This is almost 500 years ago... The hardship sea goers were submitted to: storms, lack of water and food, diseases, pests, etc. is beyond imagination, but thanks to Antonio Pigafetta and his journal, and the research performed by the author, we are led to travel in time to witness what no one has never done before.

What did you like best about this story?

Antonio Pigafetta, for his continued effort in documenting, with so many details, all (or most) events of this voyage. His apparent impartial description of events detailed in his journal (from most of the information was taken for this book - I imagine) is just amazing.

Which scene was your favorite?

There were many, but probably the discovery of the Strait of Magellan and the events that happened in that area. Just Magellan's belief that such a strait would exist, and his persistence in finding it is fantastic. I can only imagine navigating in that strait and, at some point, facing and open ocean across the continent and think "I have done it!!!". Little he knew what was to come...

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would if I could.

Any additional comments?

What I find amazing is how quick a nation or a race can interfere and modify another in such a shot period of time. The fact that Europeans sailors in those days would mingle with local women (indigenous) for a few days or weeks and, as a result, generate an off-spring that could be so different from the local population just blows my mind. And thinking that those events have most likely happened everywhere those explored have been (Americas, Pacific Islands, etc...) by free willing or by force, and for centuries, is beyond comprehension. I have read other books on explorations and voyages (Sea of Glory, Endurance, In the Heart of the Sea) and in no one such facts were described as clearly as the author did. Great contribution for Anthropology.

An incredible story of endurance and determination

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As a collage professor and administrator, I was disappointed when this was introduced a kid’s book. Life is often more imaginative, gorier, and less predictable than fiction. The writer was able to hold my attention and stoke my imagination with lucid prose, a riveting plot and the absence of dumbed down vocabulary and adult themes. This historical page turner will be the source of many discussions of human motivation, decision-making, and morality wherever it is available.

Real historical adventure

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This book makes this important event in history come alive. The parallels to modern space exploration are amazing, from the funding, and politics to the since of adventure and the search for riches and strategic advantage. It's truly an amazing story.

The author did a credible job of reading, but I would have preferred a professional reader.

History, Geography, Politics and Adventure

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This book was an amazing description, not long winded, but yet full of detail! Read this book if you want to be part of an epic journey!

An Epic Adventure

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An amazing very well written important history of the first circumnavigation of the earth, and an epic journey not repeated again for 58 years

A wonderful important history

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