Castaway: The Narrative of Alvar Núñez Cageza de Vaca

Book Description

This enthralling story of survival is the first major narrative of the exploration of North America by Europeans (1528-36). The author of Castaways (Naufragios), Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, was a fortune-seeking nobleman and the treasurer of an expedition to claim for Spain a vast area that includes today's Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. A shipwreck forced him and a handful of men to make the long westward journey on foot to meet up with Hernán Cortés.
In order to survive, Cabeza de Vaca joined native peoples along the way, learning their languages and practices and serving them as a slave and later as a physician. When after eight years he finally reached the West, he was not recognized by his compatriots.
In his writing Cabeza de Vaca displays great interest in the cultures of the native peoples he encountered on his odyssey. As he forged intimate bonds with some of them, sharing their brutal living conditions and curing their sick, he found himself on a voyage of self-discovery that was to make his reunion with his fellow Spaniards less joyful than expected.
Cabeza de Vaca's gripping narrative is a trove of ethnographic information, with descriptions and interpretations of native cultures that make it a powerful precursor to modern anthropology. Frances M. López-Morillas's translation beautifully captures the sixteenth-century original. Based as it is on Enrique Pupo-Walker's definitive critical edition, it promises to become the authoritative English translation.

Customer Reviews:

And the Spaniards also suffer.......2007-04-03

I have learned to dispise the Spanish colonizers for their actions in the New World. I have read enough of their sharpening their swords and practicing on the Native Americans and slaying the men, women and children of native settlements if they didn't convert to Christianity or produce enough gold. So this is a new perspective, that of the Spanish failing and suffering through unimaginable hardship and all along the coast that is now our destination of choice for retirement.

This is a nearly fantastic book, only nearly so because it is true (unless De Vaca embelished his story). If you are intrigued with pre-settlement America and the cultures of Native Americans you will appreciate this read in addition to the survival story. This is a look at Florida and Texas in a different era. This is a story about the ambitions of Spain and the privations men could endure for their religion and their country. Even the style of the writing adds to the true insight into the time and perspective on their outlook on the new world. The chapter titles such as "Of What Befell Lope de Oviedo with Some Indians" and "How We Departed After Eating the Dogs" give you the idea of how the book is structured in addition to how they suffered.

In many historical accounts the Spanish are said to have believed that the New World was the dominion of the devil and all its' people,lands, forests and creatures were works of the devil. It is in accounts like this that you can start to understand their reasoning and belief.

An extraordinary man -- an extraordinary story!.......2006-09-11

Cabeza de Vaca's first hand narrative of his experiences in the New World is one of the most gripping true life adventure stories that you can find.

The story is almost five hundred years old. It begins with his selection as treasurer for a Spanish invasion force of six hundred that was intended to conquer Florida (then thought to be an island), sieze the natives' gold and add their bodies to the Spanish crown while their souls would be dedicated the the Christian God.

Everything went wrong. A hurricane hit. The expeditionary force was separated from their ships and ended up marooned on the Florida Gulf Coast, surrounded by hostile, deadly Indians. Eventually, the survivors slaughtered their horses for food, then melted down their armor to make nails and built boats in the hope of finding their way to Mexico.

Many more men were lost before they made their way to what is now known as Galveston. The survivors experienced starvation, the cowardice of their leader, slavery and even cannibalism. Out of six hundred conquistadores, only four men survived.

Those four men walked across the rest of Texas, wandering almost aimlessly in a search for the Spanish colony of Mexico. By the time they finally arrived in Mexico, after years of privation, they were no longer the same self-sure conquerors who had sailed from Spain. They had developed a following of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Indians who hailed them as "Children of the Sun". Cabeza de Vaca, who had emerged as their leader, fit the description of an Old Testament prophet. His hair had not seen a comb or scissors for several years, while his feet had not seen shoes for almost as long.

Here's an extended quote from Chapter 19:

"A few days after these four Spaniards had departed there came a time of cold and storms so severe that ... five Christians who were encamped on the beach came to such straits that they ate one another until only one was left, who survived because there was no one left to eat him.... The Indians were so indignant about this, and there was so much outrage among them, that undoubtedly if they had seen this when it began to happen they would have killed the men, and all of us would have been in dire peril: in a word, within a very short time only fifteen of the eighty men from both parties who had reached the island were left alive; and after the death of these men, a stomach ailment afflicted the Indians of the land from which half of them died, and they believed it was we who were killing them; and as they were wholly convinced of this, they agreed among themselves to kill those of us who were left."

How's that for action? It's true that the narrative style itself is archaic and stilted at times. But this translation emphasizes simple modern English and cuts through a lot of the difficulty of reading a story that's half a millenium old.

I've read the story of Cabeza de Vaca two or three times over the years. In it, I see an almost mirror image many of the other explorers like De Soto or Cortez: a man who learned to view the New World in a different way, and who became a different man by the experience. His story has action, sure: hurricanes, starvation, slavery, faith healing, a stupid, greedy leader, and a cast of thousands. But at the heart of this journey is the journey of one man's heart.

Absolutely basic to anyone living in Texas and the Southwest.......1999-07-11

To read so much live detail about the way of life of the original inhabitants of parts of Texas and the Southwest is to have one's very conceptions about these places changed. It's an amazing, short read and the editor helps with notes in critical places. I think this is basic reading for anyone even part-way interested in the history of Texas and neighboring states. Cabeza de Vaca's account covers hair-raising events which occurred in the 1530s right here on Galveston Island, so it gives a longer sense of post-Columbian history than one usually gets as a lay reader of Texas and Southwest history. I too don't know why more folks aren't talking about this book. I'm buying copies to give away.

Tale by de Vaca himself of his trials in America.......1998-12-12

Hard to follow at times, you get confused as to how many people are actually following him! It is sometimes slow reading. Yet, the informantion in the book is good.

Robinson Crusoe (Modern Library Classics)

Average customer rating:

Robinson Crusoe Review
Robinson Crusoe Review
Robinson Crusoe Review
Robinson Crusoe Review
Good Book

Robinson Crusoe (Modern Library Classics)
Daniel Defoe
Manufacturer: Modern Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Classics | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Action & Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Classics | Literature & Fiction | Book Clubs | Specialty Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0375757325
Release Date: 2001-06-12

Book Description

Daniel Defoe relates the tale of an English sailor marooned on a desert island for nearly three decades. An ordinary man struggling to survive in extraordinary circumstances, Robinson Crusoe wrestles with fate and the nature of God. This edition features maps.

Customer Reviews:

Robinson Crusoe Review.......2007-05-10

The book Robinson Crusoe was not even half of what I expected. It was boring and I could not stay focused because of my lack of interest in that type of book. I was very unimpressed. The book moves too slow. Personally I would not recommend this book to someone who likes detail and more action.

Robinson Crusoe Review.......2007-05-03

Robinson Crusoe

This classic tale about a teenage boy making a life-changing decision has its pros and cons. But the positives out rule the negatives by far. One con is that the book sort of stretches a thought of the character into five or six pages. I suppose this is because the book was written early in the 18th century, and this was how authors in this time wrote. Another problem that I had with this book is that some of the vocabulary isn't used in everyday language, and it makes some of the parts of the book dense.
But, I thought Defoe's Robinson Crusoe had a very exciting and suspenseful storyline. There are some parts in the beginning that are a little boring, but once you get to the fifth or sixth chapter, things start to come together and make sense. He's original ship wrecked, he was a peasant for a while, and then he escapes; but then gets marooned on an uncharted island, where he stays for 28 years. Defoe puts a lot of creativity in Crusoe's survival story, and it's a very exciting read for ages fourteen and up; just because of some of the complicated vocabulary.

Abby Ferguson
Dorman Freshman Campus

Robinson Crusoe Review.......2007-05-03

Good Book.......2007-03-23

Robinson Crusoes is a book about a man's adventures at sea. Robin is a man with dreams of going to sea however, his perents don't let him go. But, Robin decides he dosn't want to listen to them and sneaks off on to a ship. However, he ends up getting captured and enslaved by Turks. But one day while fishing for his master he escapes and gets a job on a merchant ship.However,a storm comes and wrecks his boat.Crusoe is the only survivor. He ends up getting washed up on an island and is there for about 40 years. The rest is how he survived , battles with canibals and how he gets off. It's a good book ,you should read it.

Voyage of Slaves: A Tale From Castaways of the Flying Dutchman

Average customer rating:

A Very Entertaining Read
Boy and Dog battle pirates
Best book of the three so far

Voyage of Slaves: A Tale From Castaways of the Flying Dutchman
Brian Jacques
Manufacturer: Philomel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Children's Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Teen Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0399245499
Release Date: 2006-09-14

Book Description

Adrift in the Mediterranean Sea, Ben falls captive to a band of slave traders and their leader Al Misurata. With his faithful dog Ned at his side, Ben must plot escape as the ship of scoundrels sails up the Libyan coastline toward Italy, where a trap awaits. Ruthless enemies and hard times appear around every bend, but Ben and Ned have quick wits to rely on and, just as important, one another.

Fans of the New York Times bestselling Castaways of the Flying Dutchman series will only want more after this latest installment - a rousing yarn that's full of high-seas adventure!

Customer Reviews:

A Very Entertaining Read.......2007-08-04

I've read the other two in the series and I finally got my hands on this.

I'll keep this short.

Ben and Ned are back and for a whole lot more adventures. The story drew me in and had me turning pages. I finished the book in one day. If you loved, or even liked, the other books in the series, then this book will not disappoint.

Boy and Dog battle pirates.......2007-02-20

Reviewed by Kim Peterson for Reader Views (1/07)

Ben and his dog, Ned, survived the destruction of the Flying Dutchman years ago. Spared the doom of the ill-fated crew, these castaways were still affected by the avenging angel's curse--they live forever without growing a day older. Constantly on the move so no one detects their ageless nature, they roam the earth together. Due to the angel's benevolence, Ben and Ned can communicate with each other through thoughts.

In "Voyage of Slaves"--the third book of the series--Ben and Ned are adrift in the Mediterranean Sea when they are accosted by pirates. The cruel men toss the black Labrador into the ocean and take Ben to Al Misurata, a slave trader feared along the Barbary Coast. He keeps Ben for his knowledge of languages.

Meanwhile a traveling troupe of performers finds Ned and nurses him back to health. They make him a part of their traveling show. When Al Misurata drafts them to entertain, Ben and Ned are reunited. But their happiness is short-lived. Al Misurata takes them all to sea, and they soon realize that the Rizzoli troupe have been tricked and will be sold as slaves.

Ben wants to save his new friends, especially the beautiful girl, Serafina. But Al Misurata and his ruffians remain determined to succeed. The rest of the story ranges from seafaring adventures to perils on land where Ben and Ned encounter benefactors and villains. They must use their wits to survive and pray for good fortune as they try to outsmart their adversary and free the entertainers from a horrible fate.

"Voyage of Slaves" provides rough and tumble adventure for young adult males, though girls will enjoy the story, too. Set in the early 1700s, Jacques brings the nautical past to life with its harshness, dangers and glories. The bond between Ben and Ned resounds with poignancy and humor and will be appreciated by anyone who ever wished they could communicate with their four-legged childhood friend.

In "Voyage of Slaves," Jacques's cast of characters who befriend Ben and Ned is well-developed and diverse. The antagonists are intriguing and evil, yet believable. The author provides a compelling yarn where good triumphs over evil. Young adult "Redwall" fans will want to read this series, too.

Best book of the three so far.......2006-11-01

At last, a pretty good book by Brian Jacques on his series, Castaways of the Flying Dutchman. I found this book to be pretty entertaining and fun to read although there's a pattern developing here that began to look pretty redundent. In this book, our eternal young Ben and his dog, Ned got themselves captured by Barbary pirates and spent most of the book trying to get away from them and at the same time, trying to save his new found friends who he would have to abandoned anyway. The book have Ben and Ned virtually being passed on from one benefactor after another as they are led to safety and toward danger at the same time. Ben also learned a new aspect of this angelic curse when he realized that a love of a girl will be one thing he would never have for long since he have to keep on moving by angel's command. Since the story take place a lot on the sea, the curse of the Flying Dutchman and her crew remains always in the distance as they continued to haunt Ben and Ned.

As always, the ceaseless banters between Ben and Ned keep the story flowing and the book is well written enough that almost anyone of any age could enjoy it with ease.

One question I have is, if Ben looked like a 14 years old blond boy but have a life span of hundred generations, will he still act like a boy with such experiences and wisdom built into him?? You might think that by his 200th or 250th year of life, Ben might behaved more like an aged, overmatured wise man who look like a 14 years old blond boy!!

Anyway, any fan of this series should enjoy this book and considering the improvement over the previous two books, fans of the series won't be disappointed.

Mariners, Renegades and Castaways: The Story of Herman Melville and the World We Live In (Reencounters With Colonialism--New Perspectives on the Americas)

Average customer rating:

Great book from a brilliant mind.
C.L.R James interpretation of Melville's works
Brilliant Analysis of Melville's Classic Text
poco Po-Co
CLR James and The World We Live In

Mariners, Renegades and Castaways: The Story of Herman Melville and the World We Live In (Reencounters With Colonialism--New Perspectives on the Americas)
C. L. R. James
Manufacturer: Dartmouth College Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Look Inside History Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 158465094X

Book Description

Political theorist and cultural critic, novelist and cricket enthusiast, C. L. R. James (1901 - 1989) was a brilliant polymath who has been described by Edward Said as "a centrally important 20th-century figure." Through such landmark works as The Black Jacobins, Beyond a Boundary, and American Civilization, James's thought continues to influence and inspire scholars in a wide variety of fields. "There is little doubt," wrote novelist Caryl Phillips in The New Republic, "that James will come to be regarded as the outstanding Caribbean mind of the twentieth century."

In his seminal work of literary and cultural criticism, Mariners, Renegades and Castaways, James anticipated many of the concerns and ideas that have shaped the contemporary fields of American and Postcolonial Studies, yet this widely influential book has been unavailable in its complete form since its original publication in 1953. A provocative study of Moby Dick in which James challenged the prevailing Americanist interpretation that opposed a "totalitarian" Ahab and a "democratic, American" Ishmael, he offered instead a vision of a factory-like Pequod whose "captain of industry" leads the "mariners, renegades and castaways" of its crew to their doom.

In addition to demonstrating how such an interpretation supported the emerging US national security state, James also related the narrative of Moby Dick, and its resonance in American literary and political culture, to his own persecuted position at the height (or the depth) of the Truman/McCarthy era. It is precisely this personal, deeply original material that was excised from the only subsequent edition. With a new introduction by Donald E. Pease that places the work in its critical and cultural context, Mariners, Renegades and Castaways is once again available in its complete form.

Customer Reviews:

Great book from a brilliant mind........2004-07-27

CLR James was one of the earliest left wing thinkers to break from Orthodox Marxist dogmatism, even rejecting Leninism and the notion of the 'Vanguard of the Proletariat' all the way back in the late '40's, a move that left him alienated from the mainstream Left of the time and eventually led to his deportation in the 1950s. This book was written while he was in jail in New York awaiting his immigration hearing, a fact that makes this insightful look at Melville all the more impressive.

James points out that Melville was a visionary who caught glimpses of new social types long before they became prevalent in society: he even makes the startling statement that Melville is the ONLY author of Industrial capitalism. Reading first this book, then going back and reading Moby Dick, I must say that I cannot argue with his assessment. I found this small volume challenging, engaging and at times, personally upsetting, as I read something of myself and many others like me in James' reading of Ishmael. Definite cause for pause and reflection.

This book ends with a chapter describing in excruciating detail James' treatment while in jail, which I found at first quite self serving and gripey...but upon further reflection, his story is irritating because it is a banal and everyday litany of life under bureaucratic capitalism, not pretty or interesting, but it got under my skin, like the rest of this book.

If you like Melville or are interested in anti-authoritarian left thinking, you could do no better than to pick this up: I couldn't put it down.

C.L.R James interpretation of Melville's works.......2003-02-09

When I first read this book by James, I was preparing to write an essay on Melville and his "isolatoes." James gives ample evidence for establishing the reasons why some of the protagonists appear elusive, enigmatic, and, of course, reclusive. I found this text quite helpful in its explanations of why Melville portrayed his male characters the way he chose; perhaps James own exile for passport violations sets up the framework for presenting his theories on the characters he analyzes. The work is a fine read, although the socialist commentary remains controversial.

Brilliant Analysis of Melville's Classic Text.......2002-06-20

C.L.R. James's analysis of Moby Dick brings the book to life and makes it understandable for a 21st century audience. You'll read "Mariners, Renegades, and Castaways, and want to immediately run out and read Moby Dick and Melville's other classics. James argues that Melville used the novel to explore dramatic changes in the fabric of American culture including the rise of industrial capitalism, the international working class, and the increasingly savage character of political and industrial life and leadership.

C.L.R. James wrote this book while he was interned with the newest generation of "Mariners, Renegades, and Castaways" on Ellis Island awaiting deportation. James's fate--that of a foreigner who offers the finest existing interpretation of one of America's greatest books and is still deported--serves as a cautionary tale for our own times. James concludes, "What the writing of this book has taught the writer is the inseparability of great literature and of social life."

poco Po-Co.......2002-04-25

This book is more than a little bit of early Postcolonial writing. The intoduction by Donald Pease is new, and the last chapter - an autobiographical sketch and personal appeal by James - was omitted from a previous edition. In terms of literary criticism, this is what Pease has to say about James and his writing: "He was one of the few critics who emerged from the Third World in the 1950's and traveled throughout Britain and the United States generating what are now called post-colonial readings." The real value of this book however is in its brilliant reinterpretation of MOBY DICK.

Rather than see Ahab and Ishmael as representing respectively "totalitarian" and "American" cultural themes as critics in the 1950's saw it, James offers a vison focused on the Pequod and its crew. A view in which the MARINERS, RENEGADES & CASTAWAYS of the ship were at the mercy of their Captain. In James' interpretaion the Pequod is a factory ship and the crew are the workers. Ahab is no longer a mere sailor but is now illustrative of a "Captain of industry."

I agree with the reviewer from New Haven regarding the peculiar situation James found himself in. The established interpretation of a Cold War allegory was in keeping with the times in the 1950's. If James or Melville himself were writing today, the interpretation on offer here - rather than something to be persecuted for - would be considered far more plausible than the narrow and blinkered view of the 1950's mainstream critics.

CLR James and The World We Live In.......2002-03-15

James, writing 100 years after _Moby Dick_ was published, shows a significant understanding of Herman Melville's time and its relation to the time in which he (James) wrote--1952. James gives an insightful critique of Melville's earlier novels and shows how they chronologically lead to Melville's eventual masterpiece, _Moby Dick_. _Moby Dick_ is an allegory for modernity gone awry, with a mad captain at the helm. For James, Ahab is comparable to the USA, which is charting its own mad course with destiny. In 1952 James was right on target, for he was detained on Ellis Island and eventually deported during the worst days of McCarthyism. It is a peculiar instance of a Trinidadian intellectual's desire to become a US citizen, and instead, being figuratively slapped in the face because of his associations with--through his writings against-- Russian communism and Trotskyites. That he wrote this book while being detained, and included an autobiographical chapter at the end makes this text quite a resource for literary critics as well as for those interested in learning about a historical case of US immigration policy in action.

Average customer rating:

Three novellas for the final Tarzan novel from ERB

Tarzan and the Castaways
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0345352556
Release Date: 1987-09-12

Customer Reviews:

Three novellas for the final Tarzan novel from ERB.......2003-02-23

"Tarzan and the Castaways" is really a collection of three novellas regarding the Lord of the Apes written in 1940-1941 by Edgar Race Burroughs. This was essentially the 24th and final Tarzan book and takes it title from the first and longest of the three stories. Tarzan is stranded on one of those uncharted Pacific islands with a colorful collection of English aristocrats, a Dutch officer, and Janette Laon, the beautiful French companion of big game hunter Fritz Krause. Going back to the beginning of the series in one respect, the castaways end up on the island when the crew of the "Saigon" mutinies (which is how Tarzan's parents ended up stranded in Africa way back when). Meanwhile, the castaways also have to deal with a lost colony of Mayans who are always looking for new human sacrifices. If Tarzan was not there, all of these people would be dead meat, but although he might have second thoughts about some of them, Tarzan does save the day.

"Tarzan and the Champion" has Lord Greystoke encountering "One-Punch" Mullargan, the heavyweight champion of the world, and his manager Joey Marks. Tarzan has Nkima the little monkey on his side, so the champ does not stand a chance in this little one-joke trifle from ERB. Finally, "Tarzan and the Jungle Murders" continues the basic formula, albeit with a nod towards world events as the references to the "Great Man" in the story turn out to be about Benito Mussolini. The story is simple: there is a downed English plane and a RAF colonel, the American inventor of an ignition disruptor device, a Russian exile, cannibals, and a safari of yet more English aristocrats. Think of this one as "Clue" set in the jungle with Tarzan trying to figure out who did in who and whey (how, when and where are always obvious).

Book Description

Introduction by John Richetti

Customer Reviews:

You all know the story..........2006-09-09

but the key point here is that you will get an authoritative text, an interesting introduction, and a well-bound book for under ten bucks. Amazon can get it used for you for even less.

I teach an English literature course and I know how much my students are fleeced on certain "Anthologies". Instead, I have them buy individual paperbacks like this one. And they appreciate the savings. This edition of "Robinson Crusoe" will be appreciated by casual readers and students alike.

Rocco Dormarunno
The College of New Rochelle

The novel as parable .......2005-10-30

It is said of Robinson Crusoe that he in managing to survive for twenty - eight years on an isolated island in which he was for the most part alone provided a metaphor for Mankind itself in its solitary struggle to survive in this vast sea of a Universe. And that by his ingenuity and his resourcefulness he gave to all of us a demonstration of how we in living must learn to adapt and reconstruct our own world and lives as we go on.
And that thus in reading this work we are not reading the story of some strange shipwrecked figure from a few hundred years ago but rather reading the story of ourselves and our own struggle for survival.
In this it is not surprising that the sequel to the novel is considered far less compelling. And Crusoe's return after the death of his wife to the island he left is seen as somewhat of a failed adventure, especially as his faithful servant Friday was killed by savages in the process.
One is young and alone and can go far into distant worlds and survive. But when one is old and returns to those worlds seeking to find one's youth there one only finds those worlds have aged also- and the mirror they hold up to your face is not a flattering one.
I wonder now what it would be like to as a child set out in the world again to a distant land of adventure.
'Robinson Crusoe' lives in all of us, but perhaps most especially an really only to those who are young.

The Slow, Tedious Life and Workings of Robinson Crusoe.......2004-09-12

This might not be the wisest thing to do, but here goes.

Is "Robinson Crusoe" a classic? Yes. Iconic? Yes. Adventurous and well-placed? No.

We usually allow liberties for older novels. Common writing and language changes over time. However, Defoe's literary novel about a man stranded on a deserted island for 28 years seems to have problems beyond those liberties. Every section must be tediously described with every possible adjective that could fit the situation. The events of the book go far too slowly for this to be called an adventure, and while Defoe makes the time-transition seem natural for the most part (a difficult thing to do with stories that take place over years,) it doesn't make it any more interesting.

The character of Robinson is a personality, in that he has characteristics the reader can identify (though not necessarily identify with): he has goals that he doesn't know how to pursue, he's a bit oblivious to the workings of the world yet manages to make use of them while on his own, he's a whiner, a worker, a person who blames and takes blame, etc.

Unfortunately, while Robinson describes all his emotions to the reader, the words itself are very unemotional. I suppose this works if you look at the book as a re-writing of his account, but as a moving story... well, it fails to move you.

"Robinson Crusoe" is an important story. Not only is it one of the earlier novels in Europe's history, but the idea of being stranded on an island and having to make due for yourself without society or civilized luxuries is an important one that has made a wave throughout our culture, and has been regurgitated by various re-inventors plenty of times as well. However, as a story for itself, it isn't very engaging, and if it were up to me, I'd say Defoe could have used a stricter editor, to get his ideas and events across to the reader more smoothly without pushing them away from the book.

Have you ever lived a shipwrecked life?.......2004-08-15

Robinson Crusoe is a classic book about a shipwrecked man. The book recounts a man's experiences from young adulthood to late middle age - but even leaves room for a sequel. I found the book became more interesting as the story progressed.

Crusoe's life was filled with twists and turns, and perhaps a bit of luck that he survived so much. A great amount of details are given for how Crusoe tamed his land. Although the narrative was slightly repetitive at times and almost as if some details were added after-the-fact, the book does create the semblance of a real narrative - perhaps because of the repetitiveness and tacked-on details.

I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it. If the book seems a bit boring, keep going, it gets more interesting as it goes on.

Unhurriedly Pragmatic Adventure Story.......2003-06-28

In the literary world it is perhaps blasphemy to say a bad word against Daniel Defoe's most acclaimed novel. So here goes. The fact that the book was originally titled The Life And Strange Surprising Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe illustrates the major flaw in Defoe's literary form. Put simply, this would be a far more interesting and gripping story were it not so superfluously lengthy. The author makes a habit of repeating himself, especially when it comes to the act of dispatching kittens, which seems to be more of an obsession here than octogenarian ladies are to MatronsApron. It is difficult, you may think, to keep the subject matter fresh when describing the daily tribulations of a fellow stranded on an island for thirty years, without occasionally repeating yourself. True, but perhaps a straightforward solution to this diminutive quandary would be to simply truncate the duration of the story. There are some wonderfully intriguing and suspenseful moments, and some juicy action to boot, but sadly these are gratuitously diluted by lengthy descriptions of the unremarkable everyday goings on in Crusoe's life, and rather than serving to build up the suspense, they merely obstruct the reader's relationship with the more exciting parts of the story.
However, those with more patience than my ignorant self will find in Robinson Crusoe a delightful tale, which as well as being a fictional documentary of the most unusual thirty years of Mr. Crusoe's life, also has time to ponder upon philosophical and theological ideas, in a style that makes the reader feel as if they are involved in the conflicts between the functionalist and cynical thoughts going on in Crusoe's mind. It may not be a gripping white-knuckle adventure, being rather more leisurely and acquiescent, but it is still rather easy to see why Robinson Crusoe is regarded by some as one of the greatest novels of all time.

Castaways of the Flying Dutchman (Firebird)

Average customer rating:

Returneth Doth Potter
Fanatastic Journey for Kids and Adults!
Don't judge it by the cover...
This is like 'Redwall'. That's the bad part.
A review of the Dutchman

Castaways of the Flying Dutchman (Firebird)
Brian Jacques
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Adventure & Thrillers | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books

Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books

Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Children's Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Teen Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0142501182

Amazon.com

Fans of the Redwall series eager to sink their teeth into the latest adventure from Brian Jacques will be surprised to find that the cover of Castaways of the Flying Dutchman belies the contents of this fine mystery novel. A handsome young lad, sporting a billowing, ripped shirt, gazes off into the distance, while behind him a ship founders on an eerily tempestuous sea. It's true, the first (brief) section of the book does tell the tale of a stowaway orphan on the legendary, ill-fated ship, the Flying Dutchman. And that's as swashbuckling a story as they come. But as soon as the boy and his newly adopted dog are tossed into the sea during a ferocious storm, the book takes a sharp turn. Ben and his dog, Ned, given eternal life by a sympathetic angel, now set out to "bring confidence and sympathy, help others to change their fate." Two centuries later, they arrive in the village of Chapelvale, which is filled with quirky, affectionate citizens, who immediately welcome the mysterious but kindhearted and brave boy and his dog. The impending destruction of their village by the blustering, bloated Obadiah Smithers, an industrial speculator, propels Ben and his new friends into a thrilling search for a solution, involving ancient Byzantine gold chalices, mysterious coded messages, and some fierce tête-à-têtes with hired bullies. Illustrator Ian Schoenherr's intriguing line drawings at the beginning of each chapter hint at the upcoming clues to the mystery. Redwall fans be warned: you'll find no warrior mice here. But readers will find a satisfying story that never leaves a doubt as to the ability of good to triumph over evil. (Ages 9 to 12) -- Emilie Coulter

Book Description

A boy and dog trapped aboard the legendary ship, the Flying Dutchman, are sent off on an eternal journey by an avenging angel, roaming the earth throughout the centuries in search of those in need. Their travels lead them to Chapelvale, a sleepy nineteenth century village whose very existence is at stake. Only by discovering the buried secrets and solving the dust-laden riddles of the ancient village can it be saved. This will take the will and wile of all the people-and a very special boy and dog! Brian Jacques turns from Redwall to a very different sort of story, and succeeds admirably.

A boy and dog trapped aboard the legendary ship, the Flying Dutchman, are sent off on an eternal journey by an avenging angel, roaming the earth throughout the centuries in search of those in need. Their travels lead them to Chapelvale, a sleepy nineteenth-century village whose very existence is at stake. Only by discovering the buried secrets and solving the dust-laden riddles of the ancient village can it be saved. This will take the will and wile of all the people-and a very special boy and dog! Brian Jacques turns from Redwall to a very different sort of story, and succeeds admirably.

Illustrated by Ian Schoenherr

Customer Reviews:

Returneth Doth Potter.......2007-08-06

Castaways of the Flying Dutchman (Firebird) review:

I have never, ever liked animal fiction. Especially Redwall. The idea of little mice and voles running around with swords just seemed so...absurd to me. Thus onto this book I came with a skeptical look at my friend who justhad just recommended it to me.
But then I read it and couldn't stop. For the next two or so days I read it almost as addicted as when I finished HP7 in a day.
It was amazing. Aside from being nothing like Redwall, it was almost a completely different writing style.

The plot is,
A boy, caught onto the ship the Flying Dutchman before its curse when being chased by his abusive stepbrothers, and a dog pushed on by its starvation and need for warmth, are stuck on this ship as its captain, Vanderdecken, tries and tries again to pass Cape Horn. Vanderdecken curses God as none had cursed (anyone) afore and the ship is condemned to eternal voyage. However the boy and the dog are hurled off the ship by the waves strength. The dog saves the boy and an angel gives them a mission to bring help where there is need for all eternity in exchange for eternal youth. The dog begins to speak (through thoughts) and a friendship bonds between them.
For two centuries they go back and forth through time (not described in book) and eventually the arrive at English village Chapelvale, about to be overrun by industrial destruction. Can they save the village?

FINAL THOUGHT: Anybody who likes HP shall like Castaways of the Flying Dutchman (Firebird).

Fanatastic Journey for Kids and Adults!.......2007-08-03

First let me say I'm 36 years old and I had such a blast reading this book. I read this book last month, after I read Voyage of Slaves, which I can honestly say I enjoy more than Castaways. The first book is a fun introduction to a boy and his dog who have been touched by an angel, giving them immortality and never growing older than they are now. They have adventures in wich people discover there's something hidden to these two that nobody can grasp; they have old souls. They're path is to travel and help those less fortunate, and then move on, never resting. They are constantly hunted by a past, thus must constantly move.

This book is written well, fun, silly..made me laugh at times. It's an easy read, quick, and keeps your attention. I'm about to start the third installment now and cannot wait. Enjoy!

Don't judge it by the cover..........2007-07-16

Unlike many other reviewers here, I had never read anything of Brian Jacques' before picking up this book on a whim at a discount bookstore. The first section of the book ("The Ship") was what drew me in; a powerfully-written, spellbinding yarn about the Flying Dutchman, her mad captain, her crew of cutthroats, and a poor mute boy who stows away to escape a brutal home.

Unfortunately, the book pulls an elaborate bait-and-switch, as the Dutchman tale ends all too soon, and we are dropped into a plodding, bucolic story which follows the immortal boy Ben and his immortal dog Ned as they cross the globe doing good deeds under the direction of the angel that cursed the Dutchman to her eternal voyage.

Still, this could have been handled with verve, had Jacques chosen to do so. The story hints at Ben and Ned's adventures during the U.S. Civil War, the Battle of Trafalgar, and many places and times in between. But we see none of this; instead being treated to a quaint save-the-village story with likeable, folksy characters but not a lot of excitement. So much potential for so little gain.

Worse still, the characteristics that made the boy and his dog interesting and captivating during the initial voyage are utterly removed when they begin their landbound travels. Instead we are given sugary-sweet heroes who can do no wrong, which means there is no character development to speak of.

Having heard many good things about Brian Jacques, I can't help but feel some disappointment at this introduction to his work. Even so, his writing and characterizations are lively and done well enough that I'll likely try Redwall before closing the case.

This is like 'Redwall'. That's the bad part........2007-06-01

Picking this book up, I really did have high expectations for it. It had a good plot and all of the characters were human, so to me it seemed as though Jacques would be hard-pressed to follow under his black and white plotline he has done in his Redwall series.

The star of the story is a blond-haired mute boy who doesn't have a name. He was cruelly treated by his uncle Bjornsen and his sons and had run away from them, only to be knocked unconscious into the sea and was picked up by the crew of 'The Flying Dutchman'. There, he is enslaved to a fat Greek cook named Petros and is given the name Nebuchadnezzer. Of course, this shortens down to just Neb and Neb is introduced to a different kind of cruelty by Petros and the rest of the crew. The only man he feels safe with is Philip Vanderdecken, a mean captain who isn't really that evil towards Neb. And of course, during his cooking duties, Neb finds a black lab and names his Denmark, named after the place where the ship casted anchor and where the dog was found. Of course, Neb and Denmark save the captain from a failed mutiny, among many things. And then the plot goes onward.

To be honest, that's the only good part out of the entire book. Trust me, you'd throw down the book in frustration the minute Neb and Denmark are given voices. Yes, Neb and Denmark are given voices. After an angel casts down and curses Vanderdecken and his crew to sail for eternity, she spares Neb and Den's lives and grants them voices and immortality. The angel also tells them that they must spread joy and hope wherever they go. In a way, that was kinda corny, but it really did show promise. But Brian Jacques was the wrong man for the job, just like certain producers are bad at making certain movies.

You get a taste of how annoying both dog and boy are when they stay with an old shepherd named Luis for three years until the man dies a peaceful death and the angel sets them both on another quest. The dog's 'jokes' that he cracks along the way are very painful to listen to and both characters sound exactly like any character from any Redwall book (save the first Redwall book). The boy and dog are painfully good, too perfect, too nice, too much in your head. Is it me, or are they Mary Sues?

Their main goal in this book is helping an English village from total destruction by finding a will that will save the place, but of course Jacques adds his trademark taste by adding his riddles. In such a serious situation, riddles and puzzles that are extremely ridiculous, (and the solutions even more so) are close to not being appropriate. Who in their right mind would hide such an important document this way? It would work in a different story perhaps, maybe in Jacques' Redwall stories, but not this one.

And yeah, everyone solves those riddles as though they weren't riddles at all. How...predictable.

Also, in answer to a past reviewers concern on why the character's names have been changed from Neb and Den to Ben and Ned. Basically, it's to hide suspicion that these two were ever on the 'Flying Dutchman'.

Seriously, it makes no sense whatsoever to change the names because I'd seriously doubt anyone will remember that the 'Flying Dutchman' harbored a mute cabin boy and dog. And if they did, would be really assume Ben and Ned were in it? They are immortal, so it makes sense that they have to move from place to place after they completed their saintly tasks, but to change their names? Hmmm, perhaps it has to do with personal reasons as well, to hide emotional scars from the event. Well, I suggest they name themselves a name that wasn't the backwards of their own because then it'd be painfully obvious.

And last but not least, the bad guys. You got a stuck-up rich guy who has an equally stuck-up rich son, who wants to make profit from the company he wants to put in in replace of the town. The son has formed a band of very annoying stupid kids who are always beaten by Ned the wonder dog and Ben the wonder boy. And to make the Redwall theme more apparent, Jacques adds in four more villains in the story with ridiculous names like Gripper and Flash, and one of them even looks like a weasel.

Bottom line: Jacques tries to add in his 'Redwall' world onto this story, which does not work because, in human context, it only sounds corny. Get this book if only to read the first part. Assume Ben and Ned have died at the end. You'll not be dissappointed.

A review of the Dutchman.......2007-01-05

This aventurous book is about a mute boy, Neb, who sneaks aboard the Flying Duthchman and becomes a galley boy until the Lord comes down and curses the ship. Neb and his dog Denmark are taken from the ship by an angel who gives Neb and Denmark gift of speech by an angel. They wander throughout world, never aging and always helping people. And each time they have completed their task, the angel sends them away with the toll of a bell. This book is so wonderfully exciting that all young readers will love to read it. They will especially want to read it if they saw Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest. Though, if they haven't, they probally will want to anyway. After all, I used to hate Brian Jaques books, but after reading this one, I can't wait to read another.

Desperate Journeys, Abandoned Souls: True Stories of Castaways and Other Survivors

Average customer rating:

Too academic
Thank you, Mr. Leslie.
Fascinating and well-written
unforgettable and gripping!
Good book, readable and amazing

Desperate Journeys, Abandoned Souls: True Stories of Castaways and Other Survivors
Edward E. Leslie
Manufacturer: Mariner Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

Travel | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books

Essays & Travelogues | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0395911508

Book Description

Here are the most remarkable stories imaginable of maroons, castaways, and other survivors from the 1500s to the present - their moral dilemmas, their personalities, and their influence on society, literature, and art.

Customer Reviews:

Too academic.......2007-09-22

This book dissapointed me in so far as I thought it was too academically written. It failed to capture my imagination.

Thank you, Mr. Leslie........2007-08-14

I have often wanted to write a thank you note to Mr. Leslie for this wonderful book. It is a touchstone for me. I re-read it once in a while to remind myself of the strength of the human spirit, the determination of character and the resourcefulness of our species. It also gives you something to think about when you think YOU are having problems! I appreciate that Mr. Leslie never assigns any of the successful survivals to the intervention of a devine being. To the contrary, scoundrals seem to fair better at the survival game than those who believe they have somewhere better to go. Certainly a keen interest in your own best interests and a refusal to give up on yourself is a factor in most of these stories. In short, this book is a guide book on survival for anyone who is mortal. Add to all this the fact that Mr. Leslie is a very talented writer and researcher, and you have a book that is a great read and refreshing to your soul. Thanks, Mr. Leslie.

Fascinating and well-written.......2007-02-18

This is a gripping account of how castaways and survivors struggle with nature and, sometimes, man. It is a huge book and I agree that the author could have eliminated the last section of the book. Actually, he should have written two books, one of them on the detailed survival of people like Alexander Selkirk and Herman Melville and the other book a short one on modern survivalists.

This is because the last section of the book is a different format than the first much larger section. On the last section, the author provides only brief synopsis of events and facts and most of them are WWII related nature-related survivals. I would have suggested that he expand one of two of the stories and save the others for another book.

However, what I enjoyed most about this book is the author's writing. He often used a turn of phrase that was unique, humorous and subtle. Don't get me wrong - the book is not humorous but the author has inserted a comment or phrase periodically that summed up someone's plight or segued into their next calamity. I found it very enjoyable and would mark the pages because I enjoyed that writing so much.

I enjoy this genre and know that well written books in this genre are a rarity so I gave this book 5 stars. Whether you like this genre or not, you will enjoy this book!

unforgettable and gripping!.......2005-10-26

this is one of the few books i've read that i can't get out of my mind. i keep thinking about the different stories. i lend it out far too often! you don't have to read it all at once; it's a great book to dip into.

Good book, readable and amazing.......2005-09-20

A very good book. The author writes in a way that holds your attention from the begining to end. Almost to the end, because he loses rhythm in the last chapter. But this does not reduce its value.

If you like knowing about how people behave under extreme situations, this is the book.

Average customer rating:

Kensuke's Review
Kensuke's Review
Kensuke's Review
Kensuke's Review
More for boys than girls

Kensuke's Kingdom
Michael Morpurgo
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Children's Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0439591813

Book Description

When Michael's father loses his job, he buys a boat and convinces Michael and his mother to sail around the world. It's an ideal trip - even Michael's sheepdog can come along. It starts out as the perfect family adventure - until Michael is swept overboard. He's washed up on an island, where he struggles to survive. Then he discovers that he's not alone. His fellow-castaway, Kensuke, is wary of him. But when Michael's life is threatened, Kensuke slowly lets the boy into his world. The two develop a close understanding in this remote place, but the question of rescue continues to divide them.

Customer Reviews:

Kensuke's Review.......2007-08-09

Aloho everybody. There is this great book called Kensuke's Kingdom. In the story a boy named Michael, his family, and his dog Stella take a trip around the world. One night Michael and Stella fall off the boat. They get stranded on an island. Does Michael stay alive and get home safely?

Kensuke's Review.......2007-08-09

Do you want to get lost in a great book, then read Kensuke's Kingdom! Kensuke's Kingdom is about a boy who leaves his home to sail around the world to find the great opportunities that it holds. During his world wide journey, he and his dog fall off the boat and get stranded on a deserted island. With the help of a new friend, he tries to survive the treacherous island. Do you think he will survive? So pick up Kensuke's Kingdom and survive this great story.

Kensuke's Review.......2007-08-09

Have you ever dreamt of being on a tropical island? How about being stuck on one? If so this is the book for you. In Kensuke's Kingdom a boy named Michael falls off a ship called the Peggy Sue with his dog Stella and washes up on a deserted island- at least that's what he thinks until they meet the mysterious Kensuke!!

This book is full of exciting twists and turns as Kensuke and Michael form a bonding friendship that will last forever. If you like the idea of this story of survival then sail on over to your nearest library or bookstore. Will Michael make if off the island or not? Happy reading!!

Kensuke's Review.......2007-08-09

If you like wild and exciting stories, you should read Kensuke's Kingdom. It all starated when Michael's mom and dad lost their jobs and decided to live on a boat and go sailing around the world. Stella, their dog, came along to give them compoany. One night Stella was barking and Michael was driving the Peggy Sue, their boat. Michael went to see why she was barking so he had to pick her up and then overboard they went. They washed up on a shore that was inhabited by Kensuke. Do you think Michael will be found on the small island? If you think this book is interesting, drive right to your local library and get Kensuke's Kingdom. It's an awesome book!

More for boys than girls.......2006-12-31

We were given this book in school to read at our own pace. When we were finished we were to right a two page review on what we thought and the basic idea of the story. I thought piece of cake, read the book and write two pages about it. It was the hardest review I ever had to do. When I was reading the start of the book it was really boring. But I thought all books are at the start. But I never thought it could last right till the end of the book.
So a month later we handed in our reviews and the class came to a conclusion that the book was more for boys. Not one girl in the class enjoyed the book in the slightest. So our teacher decided to let the girls pick the next book and we decided on Holes. It was enjoyed by the whole class and everyone had their review the week after. More for boys into sailing and likes to read adventure books.

Caliban's Shore: The Wreck of the Grosvenor and the Strange Fate of Her Survivors

Average customer rating:

Window on a Vanished World
One of the Better Shipwreck/Seafaring History Books
Not your average shipwreck book
One of the best Ship Wreck Castaway books.
Intriguing read

Caliban's Shore: The Wreck of the Grosvenor and the Strange Fate of Her Survivors
Stephen Taylor
Manufacturer: W. W. Norton & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

South Africa | Africa | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

Look Inside History Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0393050858

Book Description

What became of the castaways was stranger than fiction...and more than decent Englishmen could bear.

In the summer of 1783 the grandees of the East India Company were horrified to learn that one of their finest ships, the 741-ton Grosvenor, had been lost on the wild and unexplored coast of southeast Africa. Astonishingly, most of those on board reached the shore safely—91 members of the crew and 34 wealthy, high-born passengers, including women and children. They were hundreds of miles from the nearest European outpost—and they were not alone. "They surveyed one another with mutual incomprehension: on the one hand the dishevelled castaways; on the other, black warriors with high conical hairstyles, daubed with red mud...."

Drawing upon unpublished material and new research, Stephen Taylor pieces together the strands of this compelling saga, sifting the myths from a reality that is no less gripping. Full of unexpected twists, Caliban's Shore takes the reader to the heart of what is now South Africa, to analyze the misunderstandings that led to tragedy, to tell the story of those who returned, and to unravel the mystery of those who stayed.

Customer Reviews:

Window on a Vanished World.......2007-04-14

I really can't add much to the glowing reviews of this superb book. Suffice it to say that the author, Stephen Taylor, uses a shipwreck on the Transkei coast as a springboard to reconstruct an entire world -- the world of 18th century seafaring, Pondo tribal life, the politics of the East India Company, European racial and sexual phobias, and more. His writing is flawless, whether describing African scenery or the interior lives of long-dead people. "Caliban's Shore" is a small masterpiece of historical and imaginative recreation. Six stars.

One of the Better Shipwreck/Seafaring History Books.......2006-12-18

Stehpen Taylor has done a masterful job researching and putting together the sad, tragic tale of the Grosvenor and the fate of its survivors. In addition, I found his place-setting and contextual storytelling regarding Indian society, the British mercantile economy, and the spice trades around the late 1700s to be exemplary.

What I liked best about this book is Taylor's engrossing writing - he has written a compelling narrative, bringing to life each of the many characters encountered in this lost world, and effectively organizing a massive research project to collect it all together.

For my money, Caliban's Shore is certainly in the top pantheon for shipwreck/seafaring tales of historical misadventure, and one I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys this type of non-fiction.

Not your average shipwreck book.......2006-10-28

If you like shipwreck stories from the sailing era, consider this a 'must.' Not because it is so well written. It's a workman like job but Philbrick's "In the Heart of the Sea" wins that prize. Not because it is so well researched. It is well researched, to the point where it could do with a bit less speculation, especially at the end. Rather, this is not your usual 'cast out to sea in a little boat for weeks on end' story. Here you have over 100 people in the late 18th century, almost the entire crew and passengers, safely deposited on Africa's southeastern shore near fresh water and a native village . . . and only a few survive. How can that be? Read the book.

One of the best Ship Wreck Castaway books........2006-06-06

If you are a fan of shipwreck and where are they now, castaways stories you'll enjoy this book. For some reason I'm fascinated by these tales of survival against all odds books. And this story has just a mirriad of adventures by the crew. Among the horror stories of bad treatment of the women and children. At least they never resort to "the custom of the sea". So it's a PG-13 adventure.

If you like books like "South" and Mutiny on the Bounty, you'll like this one.

Intriguing read.......2006-05-12

After stumbling through the first fifty pages of character introductions and events leading up to the Grosvenor departure, this soon turned into a page flipper of adventure, survival and mystery.
The 741 ton British Indianman Grosvenor departed Calcutta in 1782 with 140 passengers. Nearly two months later it rammed into the southeast coast of Africa. Shipwreck!
After salvaging what they could, the wayfarers eventually split into several smaller groups and proceeded to travel by foot down the African coast. What lies ahead for these poor souls are starvation, dehydration, disorientation and struggle against the elements. The ensuing tales of these castaways is gripping. Most died along the way from lack of food or water and some were purportedly slain by local natives.
The final chapters are devoted to the whereabouts of these wanderers after the wreckage through documented evidence, speculation and hearsay.
The mystery of possible white women from the Grosvenor and their descendants years later living with indigenous people is thought provoking.
Good read. Invites the reader to their own conclusions.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books