Over the Edge of the World 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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About this listen

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 Transportation Indonesia Sailing

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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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I enjoyed this book very much, it conveys the horrors of the time without glorification

Good read

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I bought this actually not knowing that is was part of the Audible Kids collection (I must have missed something) but figured it would at least offer a beginners guide to Magellan’s exploits. It does that, mostly relying on the diary of Antonio Pigafetta. As a result, and having done some further reading, some aspects of the journey go unchallenged such as the encounter with the ‘giants’ of Patagonia. The main issue I had though is the narrator. It’s not particularly well read with noticeable hesitations before pronunciation but certain foreign names. Makes me wonder if the author would have been better off getting in a professional voice performer rather than reading it himself. The tale of Magellan’s journey is nonetheless compelling, it’s the presentation that could be better.

Interesting but patchy

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Amazed how much detail of this epic voyage has remained to the present day. Very well presented.

Amazing adventure story

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Another excellent study by Laurence Bergreen. I also have his other about Sir Francis Drake. Truly that time was an age of discovery.

Great story brought to life by a very good narrator

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A gripping account of Magellan’s and his men’s epic voyage. We hear the story from beginning to end in its historical context and with witness accounts at all the right places which brings to live in front of the reader’s eyes the incredible events during that first circumnavigation of the world. Inspiring.

Fascinating

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I couldn't stop listening. Well written and presented. The amount of twists and turns that the expedition went through is mind blowing. Murder, mutiny, sex, scurvy, betrayals, battles greed, hunger and adventure. It has it all. If you're a fan of history then download this book!

Amazing

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Magellan,a voyage a wonderful tale well read. We followed his journey round the Cape on the Queen Victoria in rather more pleasant conditions.

Terrific story

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The age of discovery is fascinating.
This is a very good insight into that age.
Well worth a read.

Excellent history book.

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There is something wrong with this audiobook, it's not the full version, and a lot is missing compared to the book.

Disappointing version

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