Over the Edge of the World: Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe

Gellin' with Magellan (Pen name: "Wally")

If all history were written in the style in which Bergreen takes up the Ferdinand Magellan's pioneering circumnavigation of the world (at a time when seamen still feared either being overwhelmed by sea monsters or falling off the edge of the world), teachers would find many more of their students eager to study history. On practically every page the reader is treated to well researched insights into the state of navigational technology and cartography as well as anthropological awareness in the early sixteen century. Indeed, the reader feels himself a passenger on one of Magellan's fragile ships as the fleet slowly, and at great loss, batters its way through what later would be known as the Straits of Magellan and the tumultuous and unanticipated expanse of the Pacific Ocean for a cargo of spices then worth far more than their weight in gold. The present-day relevance of this extraordinary account becomes apparent as the reader realizes that this early intercontinental exploration parallels, in many ways, the stage we are at and the unknown dangers we confront in present-day interplanetary exploration. Although the frontiers are now incredibly more distant, the courage required of the seamen five centuries ago was no less than that displayed by our astronauts. The reader should be cautioned at the beginning of this book to fasten his/her seat-belt.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Highly readable, very compelling

This book had me hooked from the beginning. The oceanic explorers were the most daring people alive in the 16th century and Magellan epitomized the type: driven, intelligent, wily, and strangely also rigid and unbending in many ways that eventually came to undo him. Bergreen is an excellent storyteller weaving the narrative of this journey skillfully with flashbacks and foreshadowing. Highly recommend this book to all interested in the people who dared to conquer the superstition and mystery that was the world.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Fascinating about the Portuguese/Spain Imperialist Explorers Lost at Sea Seeking the Spice Islands

This is the first nonfiction sea exploration book I have read (also covers some 15th, and some 16th centuries of sea exploration history) and it was quite detailed in information about the islands/natives the Magellan exploration visited, and the lifestyles of the seamen explorers, most detailed by the Pigafetta seamen explorer scribe on the ship, one of the few survivors. Out of around 5 ships and 226 seamen, only 4 ships and around 18 seamen survived. I did not feel sorry for their problems at sea because of their imperialist attitudes of those times (they felt they could just kidnap natives, and steal from natives). The immature culture of Spain vs. Portugal and visa versa is also covered.

What I found most interesting was their mentioning of some of the natives on some islands they visited as cannibals, but one wonders if that is what the Magellan sea explorers sometimes gave into since it was the Magellan explorers that were months at sea with shock and awe storms, and at times not reaching a shore for many months and often lacking food (especially meat/fish, citric foods, vegetables) on board the ships. This is not to say they were not wrong about some of the island natives being cannibals, but the possibility that the Magellan seamen were probably such also and projected their cannibalism onto the islanders...

What also was interesting was the extent the world maps were considered top secret during those times, and people could be jailed for having a world map if they were not tops in the explorer trade. And, the false maps circulated to cover explorers' trails.

Although the Magellan expedition is known to be the first around the world, I recently saw a program on the Science Channel where a world map was found in South America that had a much more accurate world map (most likely done by indigenous, though the researchers in that science segment thought it might be extraterrestrial) more than 500 years earlier than the Magellan expedition.

I wonder how long it will be until the Strait of Magellan will just be called the Strait of Brazil, etc.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Magellan's Fire!

The words amazing, riveting and gripping are often overused. When it comes to describing the events and characters that undertook the first-recorded European circumnavigation of the globe - no other words would do justice. This is by far the most richly detailed, deeply historic account of the Renaissance equivalent of space travel. No other book has fired my imagination or passion for the history of this period than Bergreen's 'Over the Edge of the World'. If you love adventure, the ocean and a tale as epic as Homer's Odyssey, you will love this book. CS Acta New York, New York

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Whiteheart

Dewfrost r u there? If so go to beauty result 16 and i am butterflystar there. *Pads toward beautyclan camp with head down*

Dewfrost

Hi whiteheart he meowed sadly you have to stay in cloverclan love u

Best book Laurence Bergreen wrote

History come to life with interesting stories of courage, daring and discovery at sea. Highly recommended !

Great adventure story and it actually happened, of course.

I loved this book. It was almost like being with them on the voyage. I kept thinking about it long after I finished reading. Magellan has long been a hero of mine to have pulled off such a daring voyage. I can hardly wait to read Bergreen's other books. wprincess

This book about Magellan exlores all the secrets issues that tried to defeat him.

This was a great choice for our book club. This well researched account of Magellan's "circumnavigation of the globe" started with all the amazing facts on how hard it was for him to the helm of the fleet and begin this great adventure. It is fitting that Magellan's name is legend. He was scorned by his own king and could never advance in the Portguese court. So he turned to Spain's Queen Isabella and his remarkable voyage begins when he is in his forty's.
This book reveals much. The author did a lot of translating of old documents. Good thing the Spainard were good a record keeping. But the Porguese were secretive. The author has been able to bring to light many secrets and produce a very readable history.

An interesting and absorbing novel.

It is surprising how ambitious the undertakings of the Spaniards and Portugese were in their early expeditions of discovery. Magellan had an almost self-destructive dynmo. He was jealously and often cruelly guarding his rights as a commander of the expedition.
His only intent was to claim land and riches for Spain. No matter what the cost.

A Page Turner

Over the Edge of the World is a great book that keeps you turning pages. It is written as it could be a novel with great detail but Begreen summarizes each main passage of the importance of what had just happened and why it happened. It is easy to read, and makes you want to keep reading. The subject is very interesting and really brings you back to that time. Highly reccomended

Eye-opening account...

Bergreen's book transported me to the world inhabited by Magellan and his contemporaries...the account is so exciting that it reads like a novel. I agree about the map issue that was brought up by another reader and also found myself wishing there were more maps interspersed throughout the text. However, the maps that were provided were beautifully done.

What a Journey

This book is outstanding. It is well researched and well written. It reads better than most novels. It's one of those books that takes hold of your life, and everything else seems to be second to finishing the story. It combines elements of history, psychology, sociology, and just plain, good story telling.

A Real Life Historical Adverture

This is the real life adventure story left out of our history class in school. An Armada entangled in mutinies, and storms. Adventurous men battles island warriors and taking treasure. There is never a dull moment. It is true, as another reviewer commented; there is extraneous information, such as the Chinese Treasure Fleet, that might distract readers. I found this information brought me closer to the time of Magellan and the Age of Discovery. These sidetracks added to this magnificent voyage while putting in perspective with other not widely known voyages. This book provides the details to the classroom history book. It is a must read for the why and how of the voyage and the true greatness of Magellan.

Can you imagine the foolish courage?

I can not imagine what would inspire a group of men to continuosly undertake travels of which they had no idea where they were going, where they would end up once the got there, or even how they would get there? The topic is enthralling and the writing excellent but where are the maps? Apparently, persons who pick up this book are presumed to have a basic working knowledge of the Phillipines, Indionesia, and the South Afican coast. The confusion is worth it however. The story of how the first circumnavigation of the earth's surface inspires wonder and awe. The author is an excellent scholar and has a first rate mind. I do wonder why he felt that the readers needed to know Patagonia tribal words for private anatomical organs.

wow what a journey

When I read the New York Times review of Over the Edge of the World I was expecting another rewrite of history that would glorify a murderer along with a vicious culture that enslaved men and contrived to cheat indigenous populations out of their gold and precious jewelry. However I was impressed that Bergreen included the accomplishments of Mariners such as Cheng Ho and the Chinese empire and did not neglect to include the important role that Enrique Magellan¿s slave and the indigenous people of Africa, the Americas, and the Philippines played in the success of the voyage. The voyage itself is relayed in a language that informs while simultaneously allowing the reader to take in the 414 page historical account as one would a great novel or even a movie. I enjoyed this book immensely and as a result I planning to take up sailing.

Good overview of the Armanda's exploration

As History buff and I future teacher I jumped right into the book. I was looking to find a more in depth account of the Magellan's voyage than you get from history texts. The author did a great job outlining all the angles that went into making the voyage possible and all the obstacles it had to over come. In school Magellan's voyage never discussed the power struggle between Spain and Portugal which manifested itself in it's crew. This was a good read in which the author thoroughly describes everyone's intentions and motives. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who wants a complete understanding of the first circumnaviagation and the trials and tribulations it faced.

A fun read of circumnavigation

Having previously read 'Farther Than Any Man, The Rise and Fall of Capt.James Cook' (which is the best book I've ever read), I was excited to see this book on the new book shelves. This story will inform you as to what Euorpeans envisioned before circumnavigating the globe and the fierce competition for world trade dominance between Spain and Portugal. But the most interesting aspects of this book is the trials and tribulations that the seamen endured and witnessed. A definite worthwhile time will be spent on this easy read. You won't be wasting your time or money.

This is good stuff

Does a history book have this much right to be a fun page-turner? Yes, and Laurence Bergreen exceeds to great story telling, marvelous adventure, creating a just plain enjoyable read. Taken either as history or read like a novel this is an amazingly detailed telling of three year voyage which ended in 1522 with only one ship and 18 survivors out of the original five ships and 260 who left Spain with this Portuguese Captain. Even the early chapters, which tell how a Portuguese ends up leading the Spanish fleet, is a marvelous story. But in the end, what stays with you is the shear terror, boredom, disease, and strange island customs all left for us to enjoy because of basically one man, Antonio Pigafetta who was taken on to chronicle the voyage and some how managed to survive mutiny, the voyage through the strait, the native peoples defense of their territories (which resulted in the death of Magellan himself), and in the end being cast aside for a more ¿official version¿. Bergreen could not have told his story without Pigafetta and Pigafetta could not have found a better writer to bring his story to a modern audience. I highly recommend this great read!

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