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The Wager

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The Wager

By: David Grann
Narrated by: Dion Graham
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About this listen

 THE SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER

*LONGLISTED FOR THE 2023 BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION*

'The beauty of The Wager unfurls like a great sail... one of the finest nonfiction books I’ve ever read' Guardian

‘The greatest sea story ever told’ Spectator

'I cannot think of anyone who would not love this book . . . It is an extraordinary true story, beautifully written' Richard Osman

‘A cracking yarn… Grann’s taste for desperate predicaments finds its fullest expression here’ Observer

From the international bestselling author of KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON and THE LOST CITY OF Z, a mesmerising story of shipwreck, mutiny and murder, culminating in a court martial that reveals a shocking truth.

On 28th January 1742, a ramshackle vessel of patched-together wood and cloth washed up on the coast of Brazil. Inside were thirty emaciated men, barely alive, and they had an extraordinary tale to tell. They were survivors of His Majesty’s ship The Wager, a British vessel that had left England in 1740 on a secret mission during an imperial war with Spain. While chasing a Spanish treasure-filled galleon, The Wager was wrecked on a desolate island off the coast of Patagonia. The crew, marooned for months and facing starvation, built the flimsy craft and sailed for more than a hundred days, traversing 2,500 miles of storm-wracked seas. They were greeted as heroes.

Then, six months later, another, even more decrepit, craft landed on the coast of Chile. This boat contained just three castaways and they had a very different story to tell. The thirty sailors who landed in Brazil were not heroes – they were mutineers. The first group responded with counter-charges of their own, of a tyrannical and murderous captain and his henchmen. While stranded on the island the crew had fallen into anarchy, with warring factions fighting for dominion over the barren wilderness. As accusations of treachery and murder flew, the Admiralty convened a court martial to determine who was telling the truth. The stakes were life-and-death—for whomever the court found guilty could hang.
©2023 David Grann (P)2023 Penguin Random House Audio US Armed Forces Military Naval Forces Latin American Suspenseful War England

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All stars
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An otherwise captivating and well-told story spoiled slightly by the distractingly odd narration. I didn't mind the accent at all, or the pronunciation of 'lieutenant', but the erratic timing of certain phrases and the breathless, almost comical over-excitement at times was a big distraction.

Good story, poor narration

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The story is incredible but the American narration really ruined it. He was far too overdramatic and his voice didn't suit the story that was being told.

Poor Narrator Choice

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The accent of the reader. An English accent would of been so much more appropriate for the story.

This books takes you right into what early seamen ship of that period was about and in such gripping detail.

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Fascinating story delving deep into human nature, also loved the narration, not sure why the negative reviews. After adjusting for the enthusiastic tone I found it a very appealing listen.

Great story

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I thoroughly enjoyed this fascinating and well-researched story. Also the narrator was great and well matched to the book.

Excellent!

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Thoroughly enjoyed this very well, narrated, gripping true story of the 18century Royal Navy, shipwreck and mutiny. How anybody survived what they went through, is beyond me .

Excellent

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I really enjoyed this book- well written and researched. The tale he tells is spellbinding and a fascinating invite into how humans behave under extreme stress and hardship.

Fascinating account of an incredible journey

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I listened to the whole thing on an international flight, as I just couldn’t get enough. Was hoping it would put me to sleep but instead had me on the edge of my seat.

The fact it’s a true story/ non fiction is incredible.

Great story, structure, and narrator

Awesome book

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My enjoyment of this true seafaring tale was marred by: 1) odd pronunciation and American anachronisms (e.g. incorrect pronunciation of lieutenant rather than left-tenant); 2) an oddly flat narrative than veers between sensationalism and mundanity.

It’s so-so. I can’t help thinking a more skilled historian would have handled the terrific material better. And a more suitable performer.

Material would have been better in more skilled hands

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There were times, when listening to the historical narrative, that I gasped out loud in disbelief. In that the dedication of the men to endure what they had in the name of the King. A thoroughly engaging book. Deserving of being made into a film. Highly recommend.

Written and read passionately.

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