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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A majestic tale of discovery thatchanged many long-held views about the world

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 eighteen 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.

 Adventure Travel Adventurers, Explorers & Survival World Civilization Historical Biographies & Memoirs Middle Ages Renaissance
Fascinating History • Epic Adventure • Enjoyable Narration • Detailed Account • Riveting Plot • Educational Content

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

Amazing adventure

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it is amazing how little I knew about the Magellan expedition. we arent taught the details of his voyage in school, just that he was the first to circumnavigate the globe. I didnt know he was killed during the adventure. I am glad I got this book to learn more. It is amazing and a little sickening to hear what jerks the Spanish and Portuguese were in the 16th century. Their arrogance is repulsive.

great story

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