Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann

11 reviews

ekcd_'s review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

2.5


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eleanorjmca's review against another edition

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adventurous dark informative reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

Incredible read. I was gripped from the start to the finish. It helps when you’re writing a history book if you have a thrilling event to write about, but Grann really brought it to life. I particularly liked the emphasis he placed on the competing narratives of the events left by different survivors, and the care he took to highlight the role of the Kawesqar and Chona people in the story. Very extensively researched with thorough endnotes and a bibliography for further reading. A tour de force of history writing. 

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tigerkind's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

3.5

Quite an interesting read not only about a tale of (mis)adventure but also about the importance seafaring had in shaping the world. 

On a side note; I recommend looking up Wager Island on Maps after reading for a bit of a laugh. 

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e_freckles's review against another edition

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adventurous dark informative medium-paced

4.75


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codymyre97's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

4.25


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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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oliviamich's review against another edition

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adventurous dark informative sad tense medium-paced

4.25


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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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ecourtis's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

4.5


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creativerunnings's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful informative inspiring sad tense fast-paced

4.0


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