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 Over the Edge of the World: Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe (P.S.) :: 006093638X
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Ferdinand Magellan's daring circumnavigation of the globe in the sixteenth century was a three-year odyssey filled with sex, violence, and amazing adventure. Now in Over the Edge of the World, prize-winning biographer and journalist Laurence Bergreen entwines a variety of candid, firsthand accounts, bringing to life this groundbreaking and majestic tale of discovery that changed both the way explorers would henceforth navigate the oceans and history itself. Editorial Descriptions are usually submitted by the manufacturers, publishers and authors. Contact us if you are one of them, and wish to change the above description. |
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Author: Guest
Bergreen's popular history is a well told sea tale. His earlier work with NASA is evident throughout the book in its often calling on the many sciences involved in navigation. He draws deeply from original sources and brings to life a variety of political, technical, medicinal, legal, and anthropological challenges facing Magellan and crew. Having cut my teeth on a variety of Anglophilic histories over the years and developed some bad habits, this book, along with a visit to Spain a few months ago, are helping to enhance my appreciation for things Iberian. Yes, Bergreen includes a harrowing description of the Inquisition, which probably had equally fearsome counterparts in most European nations, Elizatbethan propaganda and John Cleese, nonwithstanding. Importantly, I think, he criticizes the explorers' many weaknesses and considers the perspectives of the aboriginal peoples, but also notes the many aspects of Iberian behaviors which could be thought of as ennobling, including some of religious fervor. Three stray weaknesses struck me: 1) more maps would be most useful, 2) I can't recall finding a reason explicitly stated why it was essential to traverse the Straits of Magellan instead of going round, and 3) the author uses "sheer" when the word "shear" is appropriate on one occasion. These are quibbles; the book is good.
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Author: Guest
Over the edge of the world presents a fascinating history of the voyages of magellan covering his attempts to get financing and backing, the voyages themselves, conflicts they encountered and uprisings and mutinys on his ships.
The history is told in a more journalistic rather than purely academic style using contemporary accounts of magellan's voyages from his biographer Atonio Pigafetta and other sources.
One of the fascinating aspects of this account is the descriptions of the Chinese fleet and the implications of its voyages. Gavin Menzes describes some of his hypotheses on the Chinese voyages in his book 1421.
Overall a great historical account.
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Author: Guest
I love history stories that read like fiction. I learned a lot in the book and in addition enjoyed the the story.
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Author: Guest
This book is fascinating.
The voyage of Magellan has never been equalled in scope and daring. Never again has so much ground been covered and so many new civilizations been contacted in a single voyage. I was reminded of Captain Kirk's voice when reading this book, as it shows a voyage of "where no man had gone before."
This book helps you understand the numerous life-threatening challenges that the Magellan armada had to face in order to complete its mission with commercial success: storms, malnutrition, armed conflict, dissension and mistrust among the Spaniards and other nationalities that made up the crew (e.g., the Spanish distrusted Magellan himself due to his Portuguese roots).
Most enlightening, however, are the chapters dedicated to describing the populace of the South American and Asian societies with which Magellan's crew made direct and indirect contact. (I particularly liked the description of the Chinese Treasure Fleet that marked the Chinese Age of Exploration and the influence that this fleet had on Asian societies that the Magellan Armada contacted.)
No question that this is a must read for those seeking an exciting and fascinating history.
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Author: Guest
Portuguese Ferdinand Magellan departed the known world in 1519 to find a new route to the lucrative spice islands for Spain. One of his five ships returned to Spain three years later: the first to circumnavigate the globe.
Bergreen provides a faithful account of Magellan and his exploits, with the interesting context of patrons in Portugal and Spain. It is a lucid, rewarding account well worth the trouble.
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