
Over the Edge of the World
Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe
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Narrated by:
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Laurence Bergreen
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.Listeners also enjoyed...




















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)
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The Voice is NOT a Problem
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Nuanced
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Amazing adventure
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Reads like a history professor
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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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Real historical adventure
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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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An Epic Adventure
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A wonderful important history
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