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slimepuppy's review against another edition

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adventurous dark reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Gut wrenching, sad and a beautifully written insight into the British Empire - but also just empires in general - and their wretchedness, their disregard for humanity and the way it justifies its crimes. Some scenes were just... cinematic. There's no other way to describe it.

Also, this story is just insane? Everything was personally out to get those guys from day zero, and they refused to quit at every turn. Let this be a lesson that it's ok to quit! Lest you become David Cheap.

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aschenning's review against another edition

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adventurous dark informative medium-paced

4.5


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iillianne's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

3.5

I think this is a pretty good starter book for anyone looking into naval history. It has all the elements of a good story: dynamic characters, plot & crazy drama & suspense. Author does a good job of compiling several narratives & creating a strong sense of flow in his story telling. My only complaint is the author’s use of pronouns when he’s discussing multiple people at once. A few times I caught myself questioning “who???” But ya I love me a British naval historical account🙂‍↕️

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avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition

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adventurous dark informative slow-paced

2.75

Narrator Rating: 4.0 stars

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schausjk's review against another edition

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adventurous informative tense medium-paced

4.0


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samchase112's review against another edition

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adventurous dark informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

This book truly swept me away!!! I was enthralled by the writing, the narrative, and the narrator. I lost time listening to this story, and took walks to get further. David Grann made me feel like I was traversing the hazardous seas, searching the desolate island, and scribbling on the page with these men — truly impressive. I’ll be recommending this book (and especially the audiobook!) for a while to come!

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abicaro17's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark informative inspiring mysterious slow-paced

4.0

This starts out incredibly slow but after chapter 5 grows into a story of mutiny, murder, and survival. You become involved in this insane story of how a British ship and its sailors fight off scurvy, the rough seas, and other crewman to eventually end up back in England depleted and desolate anywhere from a year to five years later. I'm traditionally cautious of non fiction historical books because I find them tedious and boring but, with The Wager, once the initial accounts of send off and troubles at sea are finished, you're immersed into a tumultuous account of the shipwreck. It was interesting and full bodied. 

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daughterofatom's review against another edition

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adventurous dark informative medium-paced

4.0

I enjoyed this. I appreciate the authors non judgemental perspective, never casting blame or guilt on any party, and keeps first hand accounts of native people in perspective. It's a tale of mutiny and horrible situations, but you never think "dang what a villain", you see the motivations of each party and are given ample details about the people to not just see them as pawns. They all had families at home they hoped to return to, some were on their first voyage, some were seasoned enough to doubt some choices. Great read for anyone looking to learn about 1700s seafaring, British navy shenanigans, or for folks looking for empathetic compelling tales of souls stuck in a true no win scenario 

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