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Left for Dead: Shipwreck, Treachery, and Survival at the Edge of the World
The true story of five castaways abandoned on the Falkland Islands during the War of 1812―a tale of treachery, shipwreck, isolation, and the desperate struggle for survival. The best-selling author of Black Flags, Blue Waters tells the story of a wild encounter between an American sealing vessel, a shipwrecked British brig, and a British warship in the Falkland Islands during the War of 1812. Fraught with misunderstandings and mistrust, the incident left three British sailors and two Americans―including the captain of the sealer, Charles H. Barnard―abandoned in the Falklands for eighteen months. A tale of intriguing complexity, with surprising twists and turns throughout―involving greed, lying, bullying, a hostile takeover, stellar leadership, ingenuity, severe privation, endurance, banishment, the great value of a dog, the birth of a baby, a perilous thousand-mile open-ocean journey in a seventeen-foot boat, an improbable rescue mission, and legal battles over a dubious and disgraceful wartime prize― Left for Dead shows individuals in wartime under great duress acting both nobly and atrociously, and offers a unique perspective on an important moment in American history. 8 pages of full-color illustrations
320 pages, Hardcover
First published May 7, 2024
About the author
Eric Jay Dolin
18 books406 followersI grew up near the coasts of New York and Connecticut, and since an early age I was fascinated by the natural world, especially the ocean. I spent many days wandering the beaches on the edge of Long Island Sound and the Atlantic, collecting seashells and exploring tidepools. When I left for college I wanted to become a marine biologist or more specifically a malacologist (seashell scientist). At Brown University I quickly realized that although I loved learning about science, I wasn't cut out for a career in science, mainly because I wasn't very good in the lab, and I didn't particularly enjoy reading or writing scientific research papers. So, after taking a year off and exploring a range of career options, I shifted course turning toward the field of environmental policy, first earning a double-major in biology and environmental studies, then getting a masters degree in environmental management from Yale, and a Ph.D. in environmental policy and planning from MIT, where my dissertation focused on the role of the courts in the cleanup of Boston Harbor.
I have held a variety of jobs, including stints as a fisheries policy analyst at the National Marine Fisheries Service, a program manager at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an environmental consultant stateside and in London, an American Association for the Advancement of Science writing fellow at Business Week, a curatorial assistant in the Mollusk Department at Harvard's Museum of Comparative Zoology, and an intern at the National Wildlife Federation, the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, and the U.S. Senate.
Throughout my career, one thing remained constant--I enjoyed writing and telling stories. And that's why I started writing books--to share the stories that I find most intriguing (I have also published more than 60 articles for magazines, newspapers, and professional journals). My most recent books include:
***A Furious Sky: The Five-Hundred-Year History of America's Hurricanes (Liveright, 2020), which was chosen by:
The Washington Post -- One of 50 Notable works of Nonfiction for 2020
Library Journal -- One of the Best Science & Technology Books of 2020
Kirkus Reviews -- One of the top 100 nonfiction books of 2020 (it was also a finalist for the Kirkus Prize)
Booklist -- 10 Top Sci-Tech Books of 2020
Amazon.com -- One of the Best Science Books of 2020
And also was an Editor's Choice by the New York Times Book Review.
New York Times -- Editor's Choice
***Black Flags, Blue Waters: The Epic History of America's Most Notorious Pirates (Liveright, 2018), which was chosen as a "Must-Read" book for 2019 by the Massachusetts Center for the Book, and was a finalist for the 2019 Julia Ward Howe Award given by the Boston Author's Club.
***Brilliant Beacons: A History of the American Lighthouse (Liveright, 2016), which was chosen by gCaptain and Classic Boat as one of the best nautical books of 2016.
***When America First Met China: An Exotic History of Tea, Drugs, and Money in the Age of Sail (Liveright, September 2012), which was chosen by Kirkus Reviews as one of the ten best non-fiction books of Fall 2012.
***Fur, Fortune, and Empire: the Epic History of the Fur Trade in America (W. W. Norton, 2010), a national bestseller, which was chosen by New West, The Seattle Times, and The Rocky Mountain Land Library as one of the top non-fiction books of 2010. It also won the 2011 James P. Hanlan Book Award, given by the New England Historical Association, and was awarded first place in the Outdoor Writers Association of America, Excellence in Craft Contest.
***Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America (W. W. Norton, 2007), which was selected as one of the best nonfiction books of 2007 by The Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, and The Providence Journal. Leviathan was also chosen by Amazon.com's editors as one of the 10 best history books of 2007. Leviathan garnered the the 23rd annual (2007) L. Byrne Waterman
I have held a variety of jobs, including stints as a fisheries policy analyst at the National Marine Fisheries Service, a program manager at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an environmental consultant stateside and in London, an American Association for the Advancement of Science writing fellow at Business Week, a curatorial assistant in the Mollusk Department at Harvard's Museum of Comparative Zoology, and an intern at the National Wildlife Federation, the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, and the U.S. Senate.
Throughout my career, one thing remained constant--I enjoyed writing and telling stories. And that's why I started writing books--to share the stories that I find most intriguing (I have also published more than 60 articles for magazines, newspapers, and professional journals). My most recent books include:
***A Furious Sky: The Five-Hundred-Year History of America's Hurricanes (Liveright, 2020), which was chosen by:
The Washington Post -- One of 50 Notable works of Nonfiction for 2020
Library Journal -- One of the Best Science & Technology Books of 2020
Kirkus Reviews -- One of the top 100 nonfiction books of 2020 (it was also a finalist for the Kirkus Prize)
Booklist -- 10 Top Sci-Tech Books of 2020
Amazon.com -- One of the Best Science Books of 2020
And also was an Editor's Choice by the New York Times Book Review.
New York Times -- Editor's Choice
***Black Flags, Blue Waters: The Epic History of America's Most Notorious Pirates (Liveright, 2018), which was chosen as a "Must-Read" book for 2019 by the Massachusetts Center for the Book, and was a finalist for the 2019 Julia Ward Howe Award given by the Boston Author's Club.
***Brilliant Beacons: A History of the American Lighthouse (Liveright, 2016), which was chosen by gCaptain and Classic Boat as one of the best nautical books of 2016.
***When America First Met China: An Exotic History of Tea, Drugs, and Money in the Age of Sail (Liveright, September 2012), which was chosen by Kirkus Reviews as one of the ten best non-fiction books of Fall 2012.
***Fur, Fortune, and Empire: the Epic History of the Fur Trade in America (W. W. Norton, 2010), a national bestseller, which was chosen by New West, The Seattle Times, and The Rocky Mountain Land Library as one of the top non-fiction books of 2010. It also won the 2011 James P. Hanlan Book Award, given by the New England Historical Association, and was awarded first place in the Outdoor Writers Association of America, Excellence in Craft Contest.
***Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America (W. W. Norton, 2007), which was selected as one of the best nonfiction books of 2007 by The Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, and The Providence Journal. Leviathan was also chosen by Amazon.com's editors as one of the 10 best history books of 2007. Leviathan garnered the the 23rd annual (2007) L. Byrne Waterman
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
February 15, 2024
A shipwreck book? By Eric Jay Dolin? Run, don't walk people. The author that has covered whaling, pirates, lighthouses, privateers, and hurricanes is here to tell us one of the most bonkers shipwreck stories of all time. Was I totally prepped to love this book? Did I love this book? The answer to both is yes.
The setup is simple enough. The War of 1812 is about to go down. An American ship decides to go kill some seals. Now you and I both are revolted by the thought of hurting adorable seals but this was the way of the world back then, and we just have to push past it. They head for the Falkland Islands which is great for seals but pretty terrible for everything else. There are too many captains on the ship, but for the most part, things are going well. That is, until a British ship out of Australia gets shipwrecked right near them.
And then, in no particular order, there is fighting, mutiny, planned murder, starvation, killer hogs, grand theft boat, and a pregnant woman. Did I mention the hero dog? Because there is a hero dog. He was such a good boy.
All of that is to say that no matter who you are, this book has something for you.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and W. W. Norton and Company.)
The setup is simple enough. The War of 1812 is about to go down. An American ship decides to go kill some seals. Now you and I both are revolted by the thought of hurting adorable seals but this was the way of the world back then, and we just have to push past it. They head for the Falkland Islands which is great for seals but pretty terrible for everything else. There are too many captains on the ship, but for the most part, things are going well. That is, until a British ship out of Australia gets shipwrecked right near them.
And then, in no particular order, there is fighting, mutiny, planned murder, starvation, killer hogs, grand theft boat, and a pregnant woman. Did I mention the hero dog? Because there is a hero dog. He was such a good boy.
All of that is to say that no matter who you are, this book has something for you.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and W. W. Norton and Company.)
May 27, 2024
If you’re expecting a Robinson Crusoe reboot or a The Wager cash grab, think again.
Left For Dead is a nautical masterpiece, a forgotten chunk of history that Eric Jay Dolin has resurrected from obscurity. Buckle up!
Quick Plot Summary
Let’s set the scene. The year 1812. America declared independence from Britain decades ago, yet British ships continue to interfere with American trade and they impress thousands of unsuspecting American sailors into involuntary service aboard Royal Navy ships. At the same time, Britain’s continued meddling in Canada draws the ire of a nation bursting with the passion for expansion.
As war seems imminent, US President James Madison declares an embargo on British trade and recalls all American vessels back to port. On the eve of the embargo, an American sealing ship called the Nanina sets sail from New York. She is bound for the Falkland Islands (recently abandoned by both the British and the Spanish) in hopes that a thriving seal population will produce a hefty prize of skins and oils. Described by Darwin as, “miserable”, the Falkland Islands were a cold, desolate place, hounded by strong gales and possessing a diverse animal ecosystem.
To avoid spoilers, hijinx ensues in the Falklands when a British ship arrives from New South Wales, Australia. The ship crashes because (drumroll please...) the captain is drunk. What follows from there is a story you have to read to believe.
Recommendation
I recommend this book to anyone interested in the Age of Sail / Age of Exploration. Readers unfamiliar with the genre will be introduced to sailing through rough weather, mutinies, wrecks, and castaways; while experienced maritime readers will be delighted by this hidden gem of treachery in the Falklands. While I appreciate more than some the work of dry academics, most nonfiction should be fun and Dolin successfully delivers!
— End of Main Review — See below for extra content…
Dolin’s Bold Move
Dolin’s bold move comes in the first sentence of his Author’s Note, where he acknowledges that the individuals and events covered in this book had no effect on the course of history and were largely forgotten by even those of the time at which they occurred. I raised my eyebrow at this first paragraph saying to myself, “Did I make a mistake? If it’s not important to world history, is it even worth learning about?”
I was wrong to question Mr. Dolin. He was right, this story is fascinating. And I also learned about the War of 1812, the 19th Century sealing industry, and the history of the Falkland Islands, plus much more.
Contemporary Comparison
Let’s analyze the cover. Left For Dead (Shipwreck, Treachery, and Survival at the Edge of the World). Cover image being a ship traveling rough waters. Is there shipwreck? Yes, multiple. Is there treachery? Yeah! This story is rife with scumbags and scoundrels. Is there survival? Big time, multiple instances, in circumstances alleged to be much more arduous than that of Alexander Selkirk (Real Life Crusoe).
If you’re expecting a money grab following in The Wager’s coattails, I can assure you it’s — well I can’t make any assurances because I have not yet read The Wager, although I’ve browsed the HMS Wager wikipedia site and can confirm that the source material of Left For Dead differs in many ways and will provide a fresh read for fans of maritime history. But yes, the cover image and tagline are noticeably similar to The Wager, although how else can you market an Age of Sail book? For advertising’s sake, we can call it the 19th Century Wager.
Praise and Critiques
Dolin is an effective writer. He paced the narrative well and wrote in a style that maintained fact while delivering levels of excitement normally reserved only for fiction. The historical tangents were relevant and provided needed context for the adventures of the main narrative.
The lack of relevance to world history is a minor limitation (in my opinion!) because there is no apparent thesis. The reader is meant to follow the story from beginning to completion and that is the extent of the impact. I don’t fault Dolin for choosing to write this book, it was amazing and deserves a spotlight in these modern times.
I also thought that Dolin could have commented more on the validity of his source documents, whether or not the memoirs and journals of some of the major players were completely truthful. For example, one character who previously was noted to have committed his ship’s cat “to the deep, alive” and shouted to a fellow captain that he would “have his heart’s blood”, later becomes the main hero of the narrative of which the source material is his own memoir. I would have asked for a little more scrutiny, that’s all.
The Kindle eARC unfortunately was still in rough draft status, so I had difficulty referencing maps and photos and notes. I mention this as a positive note, knowing that readers on publication will have the opportunity to become even more immersed in the intricacies of the story than I was. Sure I looked at a map of the Falklands a few times on the internet, but most of the island names have changed or been granted official titles.
Fun Tidbits
The King Neptune hazing tradition of crossing the equator. Multiple instances of people threatening to kill themselves if they don’t get what they want (people never change). A mishap involving celebratory chocolate fondue. A seal-skin fantasy football-esque draft.
And best of all, a dog. A castaway dog. A good boy. A brave boy. A savior. Read for the dog. Live for the dog.
*****************
Many thanks to W. W. Norton & Company for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Left For Dead is a nautical masterpiece, a forgotten chunk of history that Eric Jay Dolin has resurrected from obscurity. Buckle up!
Quick Plot Summary
Let’s set the scene. The year 1812. America declared independence from Britain decades ago, yet British ships continue to interfere with American trade and they impress thousands of unsuspecting American sailors into involuntary service aboard Royal Navy ships. At the same time, Britain’s continued meddling in Canada draws the ire of a nation bursting with the passion for expansion.
As war seems imminent, US President James Madison declares an embargo on British trade and recalls all American vessels back to port. On the eve of the embargo, an American sealing ship called the Nanina sets sail from New York. She is bound for the Falkland Islands (recently abandoned by both the British and the Spanish) in hopes that a thriving seal population will produce a hefty prize of skins and oils. Described by Darwin as, “miserable”, the Falkland Islands were a cold, desolate place, hounded by strong gales and possessing a diverse animal ecosystem.
To avoid spoilers, hijinx ensues in the Falklands when a British ship arrives from New South Wales, Australia. The ship crashes because (drumroll please...) the captain is drunk. What follows from there is a story you have to read to believe.
Recommendation
I recommend this book to anyone interested in the Age of Sail / Age of Exploration. Readers unfamiliar with the genre will be introduced to sailing through rough weather, mutinies, wrecks, and castaways; while experienced maritime readers will be delighted by this hidden gem of treachery in the Falklands. While I appreciate more than some the work of dry academics, most nonfiction should be fun and Dolin successfully delivers!
— End of Main Review — See below for extra content…
Dolin’s Bold Move
Dolin’s bold move comes in the first sentence of his Author’s Note, where he acknowledges that the individuals and events covered in this book had no effect on the course of history and were largely forgotten by even those of the time at which they occurred. I raised my eyebrow at this first paragraph saying to myself, “Did I make a mistake? If it’s not important to world history, is it even worth learning about?”
I was wrong to question Mr. Dolin. He was right, this story is fascinating. And I also learned about the War of 1812, the 19th Century sealing industry, and the history of the Falkland Islands, plus much more.
Contemporary Comparison
Let’s analyze the cover. Left For Dead (Shipwreck, Treachery, and Survival at the Edge of the World). Cover image being a ship traveling rough waters. Is there shipwreck? Yes, multiple. Is there treachery? Yeah! This story is rife with scumbags and scoundrels. Is there survival? Big time, multiple instances, in circumstances alleged to be much more arduous than that of Alexander Selkirk (Real Life Crusoe).
If you’re expecting a money grab following in The Wager’s coattails, I can assure you it’s — well I can’t make any assurances because I have not yet read The Wager, although I’ve browsed the HMS Wager wikipedia site and can confirm that the source material of Left For Dead differs in many ways and will provide a fresh read for fans of maritime history. But yes, the cover image and tagline are noticeably similar to The Wager, although how else can you market an Age of Sail book? For advertising’s sake, we can call it the 19th Century Wager.
Praise and Critiques
Dolin is an effective writer. He paced the narrative well and wrote in a style that maintained fact while delivering levels of excitement normally reserved only for fiction. The historical tangents were relevant and provided needed context for the adventures of the main narrative.
The lack of relevance to world history is a minor limitation (in my opinion!) because there is no apparent thesis. The reader is meant to follow the story from beginning to completion and that is the extent of the impact. I don’t fault Dolin for choosing to write this book, it was amazing and deserves a spotlight in these modern times.
I also thought that Dolin could have commented more on the validity of his source documents, whether or not the memoirs and journals of some of the major players were completely truthful. For example, one character who previously was noted to have committed his ship’s cat “to the deep, alive” and shouted to a fellow captain that he would “have his heart’s blood”, later becomes the main hero of the narrative of which the source material is his own memoir. I would have asked for a little more scrutiny, that’s all.
The Kindle eARC unfortunately was still in rough draft status, so I had difficulty referencing maps and photos and notes. I mention this as a positive note, knowing that readers on publication will have the opportunity to become even more immersed in the intricacies of the story than I was. Sure I looked at a map of the Falklands a few times on the internet, but most of the island names have changed or been granted official titles.
Fun Tidbits
The King Neptune hazing tradition of crossing the equator. Multiple instances of people threatening to kill themselves if they don’t get what they want (people never change). A mishap involving celebratory chocolate fondue. A seal-skin fantasy football-esque draft.
And best of all, a dog. A castaway dog. A good boy. A brave boy. A savior. Read for the dog. Live for the dog.
*****************
Many thanks to W. W. Norton & Company for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
June 19, 2024
My first read by Eric Jay Dolin—and long overdue considering the sucker I am for maritime history, particularly the height of the Age of Sail. A very engaging author, Dolin writes in the manner and style of others I’ve enjoyed, e.g. Martin Dugard and Laurence Bergreen.
While I struggled a bit with the latter half of the book which focused on the travails of a small marooned party associated with the sealing vessel Nanina, the first half was enough of a riveting story to make me hunt down other titles by Dolin, particularly “Leviathan”.
While I struggled a bit with the latter half of the book which focused on the travails of a small marooned party associated with the sealing vessel Nanina, the first half was enough of a riveting story to make me hunt down other titles by Dolin, particularly “Leviathan”.
April 15, 2024
I received this book through a Goodreads "First Read' giveaway. An engaging narrative primarily focused on the trials and tribulations of American captain of a sealing vessel marooned on the Falkland Islands with four other companions (I use the word loosely as some of the interpersonal dynamics are less than ideal) during the War of 1812. It is a fun, entertaining read (particularly the first half of the book) with a number of compelling characters facing difficult choices. For example, when is a good time tell the shipwrecked crew and passengers that you are rescuing that unbeknownst to them your two countries are presently at war, so technically they could choose to seize your ship as a prize of war rather than thanking you for their deliverance? If you enjoy "micro" histories of survival and seafaring, I think you will like this book.
February 19, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
What a great and well researched book. I really enjoyed learning about the sealing industry in the early 1800’s and also the challenges faced at sea.
Lots of documentation done by the author and lots of research to make this book as accurate as possible.
Great job.
What a great and well researched book. I really enjoyed learning about the sealing industry in the early 1800’s and also the challenges faced at sea.
Lots of documentation done by the author and lots of research to make this book as accurate as possible.
Great job.
May 24, 2024
What a crazy book. Great googly moogly!!!
The year is 1812, and due to Britain's continued interference [with the trade system, with the "stealing" of American men and forcing them into involuntary service in the Royal Navy, and more], another war is about to break out. Enter Charles Barnard, a businessman, who decides this is the perfect time to head to the Falkland Islands [on the ship Nanina] for seal hunting [which is abhorrent to us now, but a necessity in 1812 - both for oil and for a burgeoning trade with China]. All is going swimmingly, until they [the Nanina] encounter a British ship out of Australia that wrecks near them [they crash due to an extremely inebriated Captain], and everything goes to hell-in-a-handbasket VERY quickly.
What ensues is the stuff that great stories are made of, and the pages are filled with fighting, treachery, mutiny, crazed killer hogs [that was some way-out reading], [meticulously planned] murder, starvation, abandonment, lawsuits [after they all finally went back to their respective homes] and the aftermath of those, rescues, and survival [with some serious ingenuity to make that happen]. Oh, and a pregnant woman who gives birth during this who!e mess.
PLUS!!!, the very best of all, there is a dog. A fabulous dog. The bestest dog. He is the true hero here.
This book really bad something for everyone, and even if the idea of seal hunting makes you cringe, imagine doing that in a 17ft WOODEN boat, after sailing thousands of miles of open sea, with men who's egos are larger than the ship they sailed [plus the very breed that overtakes some], and I think even the most ardent "landlubber" will be sucked in and will hang on every word from page one.
I highly recommend this one - VERY well done!
I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook ARC and that was just fantastic! I have added the narrator to my favorites list as he really knows how to bring the story alive, and did a really excellent job with all the technical jargon as well. I highly recommend enjoying this book via the excellent narration.
Thank you to NetGalley, Eric Jay Dolin, L.J. Ganser - Narrator, W.W. Norton & Company/Liveright, and RB Media for providing both the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.
The year is 1812, and due to Britain's continued interference [with the trade system, with the "stealing" of American men and forcing them into involuntary service in the Royal Navy, and more], another war is about to break out. Enter Charles Barnard, a businessman, who decides this is the perfect time to head to the Falkland Islands [on the ship Nanina] for seal hunting [which is abhorrent to us now, but a necessity in 1812 - both for oil and for a burgeoning trade with China]. All is going swimmingly, until they [the Nanina] encounter a British ship out of Australia that wrecks near them [they crash due to an extremely inebriated Captain], and everything goes to hell-in-a-handbasket VERY quickly.
What ensues is the stuff that great stories are made of, and the pages are filled with fighting, treachery, mutiny, crazed killer hogs [that was some way-out reading], [meticulously planned] murder, starvation, abandonment, lawsuits [after they all finally went back to their respective homes] and the aftermath of those, rescues, and survival [with some serious ingenuity to make that happen]. Oh, and a pregnant woman who gives birth during this who!e mess.
PLUS!!!, the very best of all, there is a dog. A fabulous dog. The bestest dog. He is the true hero here.
This book really bad something for everyone, and even if the idea of seal hunting makes you cringe, imagine doing that in a 17ft WOODEN boat, after sailing thousands of miles of open sea, with men who's egos are larger than the ship they sailed [plus the very breed that overtakes some], and I think even the most ardent "landlubber" will be sucked in and will hang on every word from page one.
I highly recommend this one - VERY well done!
I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook ARC and that was just fantastic! I have added the narrator to my favorites list as he really knows how to bring the story alive, and did a really excellent job with all the technical jargon as well. I highly recommend enjoying this book via the excellent narration.
Thank you to NetGalley, Eric Jay Dolin, L.J. Ganser - Narrator, W.W. Norton & Company/Liveright, and RB Media for providing both the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.
February 27, 2024
I got this book from a good reads giveaway, I thought it looked interesting to read and it was. The author told story well above Americans seal hunters and British ship shipwreck in the Falklands Islands during the war of 1812. It's about how trying to do the right thing can go wrong in a period of war. I highly recommend this book.
May 18, 2024
Seaworthy adventure readers, take note! An American ship, bound to harvest seals from the Falklands and sell them to China, is loaded with too many captains. To paraphrase - if too many cooks spoil the broth, this nautical stew is about to get dicey. What could possibly go wrong with large egos and men who have been onboard too long taking orders from those they don’t entirely trust/ respect. Then there is the hostile environment of the land, poor weather conditions, and badly charted navigation maps. Their ship isn’t exactly shipshape either. But there is more! The War of 1812 is about to challenge all shipping endeavors. When a British ship sailing from Australia to England wrecks upon one of the Falklands…. the survivors are in dire need of rescue. The Americans go to their aid. Not so fast, reader. Complications ensue – abandonment, duplicity, war, heroics, survival, rescues, capture, ingenuity resourcefulness, forgiveness, mutiny, politics….and a wonderful dog! Author’s pictures and notes gives great insight into the total experience. Highly recommended. And now I may have to go back and see what other gems I missed by this author. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this title.
May 1, 2024
Left for Dead by Eric Jay Dolin is a riveting factual survival story which occurred in the Falkland Islands in 1812. It is chock full of adventure, perseverance, resourcefulness, arguments and despair. Five men were abandoned to their own devices and initial sparks of hope were replaced by disbelief and shock as they realized their predicament.
Little did Americans and British sailors who set off from their respective countries by ship know they would meet, changing the course of their lives. What they encountered reads like fiction. Bad weather caused shipwrecks. But that's just the tip of the iceberg.
So many fascinating stories gripped me such as the role of salt, characteristics of tussac grass, Falklands animals and birds, ship wrecking weather, meals, dangerous fires, abysmal sleeping quarters, rats, punishment/reprimands and the chocolate mishap. A lot of drunkenness and mayhem ensued.
Not only is the story itself gripping but the photographs, illustrations and maps add context and elevate a solidly good book to a great one. Reading what happened after is fascinating as well. Survival stories pull me in and I enjoyed the writing. Be aware that sealing is detailed. Pelts fetched a great deal of money, a driving force of sea expeditions
My sincere thank you to W. W. Norton & Company and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this engrossing book.
Little did Americans and British sailors who set off from their respective countries by ship know they would meet, changing the course of their lives. What they encountered reads like fiction. Bad weather caused shipwrecks. But that's just the tip of the iceberg.
So many fascinating stories gripped me such as the role of salt, characteristics of tussac grass, Falklands animals and birds, ship wrecking weather, meals, dangerous fires, abysmal sleeping quarters, rats, punishment/reprimands and the chocolate mishap. A lot of drunkenness and mayhem ensued.
Not only is the story itself gripping but the photographs, illustrations and maps add context and elevate a solidly good book to a great one. Reading what happened after is fascinating as well. Survival stories pull me in and I enjoyed the writing. Be aware that sealing is detailed. Pelts fetched a great deal of money, a driving force of sea expeditions
My sincere thank you to W. W. Norton & Company and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this engrossing book.
April 1, 2024
First, I must thank W.W. Norton & Company, along with NetGalley for the ARC of this particularly interesting book.
“Left for Dead” is a meticulously researched nautical story of adventure, desertion, deceit and perseverance. Dolin uncovers a story seemingly forgotten, in a location often overlooked, about sailors left unrecognized.
Concisely written, Eric Jay Dolin takes the reader on board the ships bound for the Falklands and through his descriptions one can almost feel the constantly cutting winds and cold wet rains of the island’s climate. This is no tropical paradise these seal hunters found themselves living; rather a bland, rocky, harsh bog by which they were forced to endure.
As with so many stories of adventures for seaman, the quest for profits in marine mammals proved to be the fateful motive that landed the hodgepodge group in the predicament. And as expected, acts of both heroism and treachery unfolded as conditions on the islands and between warring nations deteriorated.
I found the declarations and rules of war playing a major role in who had the upper hand and command on a set of essentially neutral islands thousands of miles away from the actual conflict quite interesting. I also enjoyed the honorable human element of forgiveness as a running theme in spite of the difficult circumstances. The illustrations, maps and pictures are tactfully applied in the book, as well.
Great read. Will certainly be buying the hard copy as soon as it hits shelves.
“Left for Dead” is a meticulously researched nautical story of adventure, desertion, deceit and perseverance. Dolin uncovers a story seemingly forgotten, in a location often overlooked, about sailors left unrecognized.
Concisely written, Eric Jay Dolin takes the reader on board the ships bound for the Falklands and through his descriptions one can almost feel the constantly cutting winds and cold wet rains of the island’s climate. This is no tropical paradise these seal hunters found themselves living; rather a bland, rocky, harsh bog by which they were forced to endure.
As with so many stories of adventures for seaman, the quest for profits in marine mammals proved to be the fateful motive that landed the hodgepodge group in the predicament. And as expected, acts of both heroism and treachery unfolded as conditions on the islands and between warring nations deteriorated.
I found the declarations and rules of war playing a major role in who had the upper hand and command on a set of essentially neutral islands thousands of miles away from the actual conflict quite interesting. I also enjoyed the honorable human element of forgiveness as a running theme in spite of the difficult circumstances. The illustrations, maps and pictures are tactfully applied in the book, as well.
Great read. Will certainly be buying the hard copy as soon as it hits shelves.
March 31, 2024
This is a great adventure story. I always wanted to go to Patagonia and the Falklands. Now the reader can do it with this book. Being shipwrecked on the Falklands was a traumatic experience and being saved fits right into this narrative. This book was so good, I read it in three days. Eric Jay Dolin has written a descriptive and blatant story about survival in horrid conditions. These sailors on this sealing vessel endured such incredible hardships, and the fact that they survived is a testament to the crew and captain of the ship. The illustrations and photographs truly bring the story to light.
May 26, 2024
In the book left for dead by Eric J Dollins Nararated by LJ Ganzer we hear about men who wrist their lives to save others and men who wrist the lies of others to save their self. This isn’t your straightforward castaway tale but a tale of two shipwrecks in men who were abandoned not once but twice those who instead of saving the castaways wanted to know what they could get from said castaways including their ship what they were hauling ET see this all happened during the war of 1812 an even when finding civilization some found they weren’t so civil at all I would love to tell you a great summary for the awesome story but it is two multi layered with two different ships from two different countries and then there’s the guys who were left again this is a great book I listen to the audiobook but now wish I would’ve gotten the Kindle instead as I’ve sent to learn they have maps of the two islands but I digress the narrator did a brilliant job and had a great tone for the subject at hand my favorite part was that the author added what happened to them after the shipwreck which not everyone does and I totally appreciate that there’s even a woman who was a prostitute on the ship but died a very wealthy person which only makes me wonder how did that happen? Long ago a professor told me a great book will lead you to other great books and that is exactly what this book has done I am so interested to know more about the sea voyages of the 17 and 1800s and I do believe that will be my next subject I dive deep into. Thanks for this great book I absolutely loved I want to thank the publisher for my free audio arc copy via NetGalley please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
June 25, 2024
For a book that seemed to model itself after The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder I was pretty unimpressed. The only real part that I really paid attention to was that of the woman who gave birth. I thought it was so interesting that there was at least one woman in this story, and I really wanted to hear more about her.
There are so many stories of shipwrecks, and so many books written about them, it would have been really cool if Dolin has taken the time to spend a little more time writing about the women it would have been very fascinating since that's something different and unique to this story.
There are so many stories of shipwrecks, and so many books written about them, it would have been really cool if Dolin has taken the time to spend a little more time writing about the women it would have been very fascinating since that's something different and unique to this story.
June 10, 2024
Many thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC! The narration really brought this story to light. I can’t say enough great things about how enjoyable this book was on audio. Really fun and educational. Hats off the to the author for collecting so much information about these events and making it a cohesive story.
July 2, 2024
Stories about the sailing age at sea intrigue me. The hardiness and skills needed to survive are amazing. Being a sailor, at this time, led to one departing from complex and acceptable human behavior. The harshness of the sea caused a man to become base in behavior and devolve into a lesser human.
Left for Dead is a book replete with stories of men who made these statements true. However, it was also a testament to the human’s will to survive and ingenuity necessary to meet this goal.
Left for Dead is a book replete with stories of men who made these statements true. However, it was also a testament to the human’s will to survive and ingenuity necessary to meet this goal.
July 22, 2024
Fascinating account of history, especially with the War of 1812 happening during these voyages. Extremely well researched and well written.
July 5, 2024
I enjoyed Dolin’s introductory material more than the tale itself, such things as the geography and natural history of the Falklands. The tale is curious, but most of the personalities involved are ordinary and indistinct, regular folks caught up in extraordinary circumstances. Though I was fascinated by how well the castaways kept themselves alive in such a hostile environment, the last third or so of the book struck me as unnecessarily padded.
May 19, 2024
A not well known tale of abandonment in the Falkland islands during the War of 1812. Very reminiscent of David Grann ‘s ( The Wager) writing style.
July 9, 2024
I loved this book. I love true stories and history and this book kept me turning the page. I'm very impressed on how the author wrote this story. It reads like a novel. Love it. I am planning on reading another book he has written one of these days.
May 14, 2024
Left for Dead has it all! Shipwrecks, stormy seas, double crossing treacherous crews, butchery, even a loyal dog....and it is all true! There are probably three movies in this one true accounting of life on the open sea, and on barren, remote and uninhibited islands. Throw in a war (1812) and you have it all!
July 5, 2024
Good book. Had to continually reference the maps (they were good) due to the many trips and locations in the story. Wish all books had such a well written epilogue.
June 3, 2024
Very interesting story. It was along the lines of The Wager, but unfortunately I just didn't gel with the writing style of this book. Any maritime history during the "Age of Sail" is interesting to me. Most mind-blowing is the individual's capacity to survive despite circumstances. If I were any of these people I think I would have just given up ha!
May 27, 2024
One of the central problems with what we can call existence is that it is populated with people who quite frequently can be extremely irritating. This is not an original insight, and I don’t expect anyone to be surprised by it. The story of how we deal with difficult and bothersome people is as old as Cain and Abel, and it isn’t going to change anytime soon.
The conflict between ordinary dull people who would just as soon be left alone and those who seek to annoy them lies at the heart of many a tale, but it seems to show up in maritime history and fiction more often than not. This, of course, is a result of the close confinement and enforced conviviality of life at sea, which makes it much harder to avoid contact with unpleasant people, because there’s no other place to go. And one doesn’t have to be a Bligh or a Queeg to cause conflict; even petty differences and grievances can catch fire on a long and otherwise monotonous ocean voyage.
LEFT FOR DEAD is the story of an expedition that took place during the first days of the War of 1812. An American-flagged brig sailed out of New York and headed for the remote Falkland Islands. Its purpose was to --- and there’s no real way to disguise this for the modern reader --- kill an enormous number of poor innocent baby seals. (Eric Jay Dolin, the intrepid author, largely eschews details about the technicalities of sailing, but there is a whole lot in the book about how seal skins are harvested, prepared and sold.) The Falklands at this time being well-found in baby seals, and there being a robust market for seal skins in China, it bid fair to be a profitable voyage.
The leader of this expedition, a seasoned mariner named Charles H. Barnard, was facing two issues that looked like opportunities but were not. First of all, the Falklands were just about played out in terms of sealing, and the market in China was on a downturn. Secondly, the War of 1812 was starting, in part because of the Royal Navy’s pernicious habit of impressing sailors on American ships. There was a glut of experienced sailors available for hire, so Barnard decided to take advantage of this by bringing along his father --- an experienced seafarer and the nominal captain of the brig --- as well as three other men who had captained their own ships. This meant that there were five captains on a very small ship during an extremely long and stormy voyage.
Perhaps nothing would have come of it. Maybe the five men could have pulled together and focused on the long-term commercial gains involved in putting a large number of baby seals to death. However, Barnard’s ship would cross paths with a stricken British ship, plying its way from Australia to London, that ran aground on the treacherous rocks of the Falklands. This led to a rescue mission and the arrival of yet another captain --- a junior Royal Navy officer intent on making the American ship a prize of war.
The book is called LEFT FOR DEAD, so it is not that much of a spoiler to indicate that this unlikely chain of events includes the intentional marooning of Barnard, who had spent a not-inconsiderable part of the voyage quarreling with his comrades. Unfortunately, Dolin is dependent to some degree on Barnard’s account, so we largely get his side of the story. It’s a story that results in his being left alone to starve on a remote, cold, stormy archipelago, so it could not have put him in a very good light.
When LEFT FOR DEAD is able to put out its full set of sails, it is a deeply engrossing tale with a delightfully twisty plot. But as the results of all the various treacherous plans are revealed, it condenses to a somewhat pedestrian wilderness survival story. (The hero of said story is Barnard’s dog, Cent, whose valor and tenacity are of the highest quality throughout, and who deserves a much better ending than he gets.) Anyone who read David Grann’s THE WAGER with profit will relish this sprawling sea story.
Reviewed by Curtis Edmonds
The conflict between ordinary dull people who would just as soon be left alone and those who seek to annoy them lies at the heart of many a tale, but it seems to show up in maritime history and fiction more often than not. This, of course, is a result of the close confinement and enforced conviviality of life at sea, which makes it much harder to avoid contact with unpleasant people, because there’s no other place to go. And one doesn’t have to be a Bligh or a Queeg to cause conflict; even petty differences and grievances can catch fire on a long and otherwise monotonous ocean voyage.
LEFT FOR DEAD is the story of an expedition that took place during the first days of the War of 1812. An American-flagged brig sailed out of New York and headed for the remote Falkland Islands. Its purpose was to --- and there’s no real way to disguise this for the modern reader --- kill an enormous number of poor innocent baby seals. (Eric Jay Dolin, the intrepid author, largely eschews details about the technicalities of sailing, but there is a whole lot in the book about how seal skins are harvested, prepared and sold.) The Falklands at this time being well-found in baby seals, and there being a robust market for seal skins in China, it bid fair to be a profitable voyage.
The leader of this expedition, a seasoned mariner named Charles H. Barnard, was facing two issues that looked like opportunities but were not. First of all, the Falklands were just about played out in terms of sealing, and the market in China was on a downturn. Secondly, the War of 1812 was starting, in part because of the Royal Navy’s pernicious habit of impressing sailors on American ships. There was a glut of experienced sailors available for hire, so Barnard decided to take advantage of this by bringing along his father --- an experienced seafarer and the nominal captain of the brig --- as well as three other men who had captained their own ships. This meant that there were five captains on a very small ship during an extremely long and stormy voyage.
Perhaps nothing would have come of it. Maybe the five men could have pulled together and focused on the long-term commercial gains involved in putting a large number of baby seals to death. However, Barnard’s ship would cross paths with a stricken British ship, plying its way from Australia to London, that ran aground on the treacherous rocks of the Falklands. This led to a rescue mission and the arrival of yet another captain --- a junior Royal Navy officer intent on making the American ship a prize of war.
The book is called LEFT FOR DEAD, so it is not that much of a spoiler to indicate that this unlikely chain of events includes the intentional marooning of Barnard, who had spent a not-inconsiderable part of the voyage quarreling with his comrades. Unfortunately, Dolin is dependent to some degree on Barnard’s account, so we largely get his side of the story. It’s a story that results in his being left alone to starve on a remote, cold, stormy archipelago, so it could not have put him in a very good light.
When LEFT FOR DEAD is able to put out its full set of sails, it is a deeply engrossing tale with a delightfully twisty plot. But as the results of all the various treacherous plans are revealed, it condenses to a somewhat pedestrian wilderness survival story. (The hero of said story is Barnard’s dog, Cent, whose valor and tenacity are of the highest quality throughout, and who deserves a much better ending than he gets.) Anyone who read David Grann’s THE WAGER with profit will relish this sprawling sea story.
Reviewed by Curtis Edmonds
March 5, 2024
My thanks to both NetGalley and publisher W. W. Norton & Company, Liveright for an advance copy of this tale about the sea, sealing, war, being stranded and the persistence in continuing on.
Setting off to sea must have been a harrowing experience for families. Even now the seas are still filled with danger from rogue waves, pirates, and just sometimes things going wrong. At least now one has phones at worse, the Internet at best to at least have an idea where a sailor might be. Back when this story takes place the early nineteenth century one might be saying goodbye for a couple of months, a couple of years or for all of eternity. For the sailors ships were work, home and transportation, basically everything. And in an instant for 4 souls and a dog, that ship was gone,with only the barren Falkland Islands offering shelter. For some this would break them, for this crew, it only got worse. Left for Dead:Shipwreck, Treachery, and Survival at the Edge of the World by Eric Jay Dolin is a story of war, betrayal, being stranded, and finding the grit to go on and survive.
Charles H. Barnard had a dream to make money. Barnard planned to raise a crew of men, travel to the Falkland Islands, hunt seals, and take the skins to China for huge profit. The only problem was the time was 1812 and war with England was on the horizon. Barnard set sail before ship owners called back boats, to stop them from being seized by the British, with a crew including his father, and a few captains. Which made for a tense crossing, as these captains did not agrees, and violence was not uncommon. Things went well on the hunt, until the crew came across a British wreck with survivors on the shore. A plan was made to bring the survivors home, for their cargo, as the sealers would be losing money. Barnard, 4 others and his dog set out in a small boat to gather food, water and some last skins, and after some time returned to find his boat gone, and themselves stranded in the Falklands. And unknown to Barnard, among his small crew dissent was beginning.
A great story about the sea, the duplicitous nature of people, and how people react under stress. Dolin is a really good writer, with a fine way of unfurling the story, and describing the crew, who really were not the best of people, with a few exceptions. There is much about sailing and lots about seal hunting and slaughtering, so keep that in mind. And there is a lot of I can't believe anyone could do this. Barnard sounds like a prickly pear, but boy can he survive things. To see the boat he captained, with his own father on board just gone. That is something that few could recover from. Plus the further acts he had to put up with, well they made people strong back then. One can really get a sense of the research and time Dolin put into this story, and the photographs give a better idea about the desolation these men found themselves in.
Nautical fans and fans of previous books, which I am one, will really enjoy this. The scope alone, and the miles that Barnard had to travel are just hard to believe. A very good book, and one that would be perfect gift for Father's Day.
Setting off to sea must have been a harrowing experience for families. Even now the seas are still filled with danger from rogue waves, pirates, and just sometimes things going wrong. At least now one has phones at worse, the Internet at best to at least have an idea where a sailor might be. Back when this story takes place the early nineteenth century one might be saying goodbye for a couple of months, a couple of years or for all of eternity. For the sailors ships were work, home and transportation, basically everything. And in an instant for 4 souls and a dog, that ship was gone,with only the barren Falkland Islands offering shelter. For some this would break them, for this crew, it only got worse. Left for Dead:Shipwreck, Treachery, and Survival at the Edge of the World by Eric Jay Dolin is a story of war, betrayal, being stranded, and finding the grit to go on and survive.
Charles H. Barnard had a dream to make money. Barnard planned to raise a crew of men, travel to the Falkland Islands, hunt seals, and take the skins to China for huge profit. The only problem was the time was 1812 and war with England was on the horizon. Barnard set sail before ship owners called back boats, to stop them from being seized by the British, with a crew including his father, and a few captains. Which made for a tense crossing, as these captains did not agrees, and violence was not uncommon. Things went well on the hunt, until the crew came across a British wreck with survivors on the shore. A plan was made to bring the survivors home, for their cargo, as the sealers would be losing money. Barnard, 4 others and his dog set out in a small boat to gather food, water and some last skins, and after some time returned to find his boat gone, and themselves stranded in the Falklands. And unknown to Barnard, among his small crew dissent was beginning.
A great story about the sea, the duplicitous nature of people, and how people react under stress. Dolin is a really good writer, with a fine way of unfurling the story, and describing the crew, who really were not the best of people, with a few exceptions. There is much about sailing and lots about seal hunting and slaughtering, so keep that in mind. And there is a lot of I can't believe anyone could do this. Barnard sounds like a prickly pear, but boy can he survive things. To see the boat he captained, with his own father on board just gone. That is something that few could recover from. Plus the further acts he had to put up with, well they made people strong back then. One can really get a sense of the research and time Dolin put into this story, and the photographs give a better idea about the desolation these men found themselves in.
Nautical fans and fans of previous books, which I am one, will really enjoy this. The scope alone, and the miles that Barnard had to travel are just hard to believe. A very good book, and one that would be perfect gift for Father's Day.
June 10, 2024
My local indie bookstore pointed this book out to me, knowing my penchant for “sad boat.” Add in the fact that the author came to speak at the bookstore today, and I felt I really did need to read this book. And I’m so glad I did.
Let me preface this by saying that Eric Jay Dolin is a delight. It was so lovely to talk to him and hear about the things he writes about and is interested in. I loved that he gave so much credit to his wife, who has been the breadwinner for much of their marriage so he can focus on his writing. It was totally unprompted, which made it even sweeter.
I also was able to explain to Mr Dolin what “sad boat” is, mainly because the owner of the bookstore is a friend of mine, and he encouraged me to explain it. As a result, Mr Dolin signed my copy of his book Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America with “To Karyl, a lover of sad boat stories!”
But back to this book. Thanks to Mr Dolin, we are able to learn about this story, even though it’s not particularly important to history overall. An American sealing ship, the Nanina headed to the Falkland Islands to harvest seals and make some money, while a British brig, the Isabella, was on its way to London to New South Wales when it wrecked. The captain, being drunk at the time, was of absolutely no use. At some point later, the Nanina came upon the shipwreck survivors and agreed to rescue them, even though the War of 1812 had broken out and the British and the Americans were now enemies. The commander of the Nanina, Charles Barnard, attempted a hunting expedition in order to provision the survivors and the crew of the Nanina, but while he and a few of his men were gone, the Nanina left him behind, as it had been claimed as a prize by the British. Barnard and his men then spent almost two years as castaways in the Falkland Islands.
This is a really fascinating adventure story, and Dolin tells it well. I loved how many engravings he included in his book (although he told me his publisher wasn’t terribly fond of how many he wanted to include). As a very visual person, I really enjoyed having illustrations on nearly every page. It also covers a time period of American history that is somewhat lost to the mists of time. We don’t really think about the War of 1812, and how America fought back against the British a second time, only a few decades after gaining their independence.
If you have any interest in rollicking adventure stories from the Age of Sail, this will definitely scratch your itch. I am looking forward to reading more from this fantastic author.
Let me preface this by saying that Eric Jay Dolin is a delight. It was so lovely to talk to him and hear about the things he writes about and is interested in. I loved that he gave so much credit to his wife, who has been the breadwinner for much of their marriage so he can focus on his writing. It was totally unprompted, which made it even sweeter.
I also was able to explain to Mr Dolin what “sad boat” is, mainly because the owner of the bookstore is a friend of mine, and he encouraged me to explain it. As a result, Mr Dolin signed my copy of his book Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America with “To Karyl, a lover of sad boat stories!”
But back to this book. Thanks to Mr Dolin, we are able to learn about this story, even though it’s not particularly important to history overall. An American sealing ship, the Nanina headed to the Falkland Islands to harvest seals and make some money, while a British brig, the Isabella, was on its way to London to New South Wales when it wrecked. The captain, being drunk at the time, was of absolutely no use. At some point later, the Nanina came upon the shipwreck survivors and agreed to rescue them, even though the War of 1812 had broken out and the British and the Americans were now enemies. The commander of the Nanina, Charles Barnard, attempted a hunting expedition in order to provision the survivors and the crew of the Nanina, but while he and a few of his men were gone, the Nanina left him behind, as it had been claimed as a prize by the British. Barnard and his men then spent almost two years as castaways in the Falkland Islands.
This is a really fascinating adventure story, and Dolin tells it well. I loved how many engravings he included in his book (although he told me his publisher wasn’t terribly fond of how many he wanted to include). As a very visual person, I really enjoyed having illustrations on nearly every page. It also covers a time period of American history that is somewhat lost to the mists of time. We don’t really think about the War of 1812, and how America fought back against the British a second time, only a few decades after gaining their independence.
If you have any interest in rollicking adventure stories from the Age of Sail, this will definitely scratch your itch. I am looking forward to reading more from this fantastic author.
July 24, 2024
so, a lot of these types of nf books contain a mid-book pic interlude, and this one certainly has that, and I appreciated it, but this book also contained like A LOT of other pics, some of which were like, related to the story, but sometimes only kinda. The pictures were honestly getting to the point of being kinda distracting. I don't know how others read, but i actually hate having pics or figures in the middle of a section, cause I dont wanna interrupt the flow with a picture of sea lion that I for sure dont need a picture of in this book. It felt kinda like a text book with the figures and pics, and like, we all have a phone, we can look up pictures of a lot of this stuff. All that said, I guess I got used to it and it was fine, but it felt like filler at least half the time. Some of the pics were more obscure and interesting though.
Speaking of filler, this book was short. Far shorter than the page count would make it seem given just how many pictures there were. Also the way the chapter breaks were formatted extended the length. i don't think the book needed to be longer, I just get irritated when things are formatted to make it seem longer.
Okay, the book itself. The first part was a bit jumbled, between the two ships that we really dont know are related for quite a while. There was a good amount of build up to the war and the two countries, and seal hunting that is pretty standard in these kinds of books but this felt a bit without heart to me. I wasn't sure I would like this much until a bit more than halfway. The story itself is pretty insane, and I enjoyed it once we get to the captain's part, the part I assume was just rewritten from his actual memoir, which I didn't know was a thing until I got to this book. And this is where I confirmed just what kind of book this was. A rehash of other sources without any additional input. And that's why there was so much filler in the beginning.
Is it useful for a modern reader to get these rehashes of memoirs or journals? yeah I guess it is cause we may not have access to them, or we may not want to read ten journals or memoirs to get to the story, but this is a slim rewording of things imo. Most of these kinds of books are essentially that, but at least the better examples have some additional thought put in, or some analysis about why these things happened. In this case, there were MANY things to potentially analyze given the crazy shit that happened on multiple fronts. We didn't get that here tho, we got just a very limited retelling of the events.
Overall, this was a good read. The book didn't blow me away, but it was enjoyable. I would be interested to read the captain's own work now, as well as a deeper telling of the whole story.
Speaking of filler, this book was short. Far shorter than the page count would make it seem given just how many pictures there were. Also the way the chapter breaks were formatted extended the length. i don't think the book needed to be longer, I just get irritated when things are formatted to make it seem longer.
Okay, the book itself. The first part was a bit jumbled, between the two ships that we really dont know are related for quite a while. There was a good amount of build up to the war and the two countries, and seal hunting that is pretty standard in these kinds of books but this felt a bit without heart to me. I wasn't sure I would like this much until a bit more than halfway. The story itself is pretty insane, and I enjoyed it once we get to the captain's part, the part I assume was just rewritten from his actual memoir, which I didn't know was a thing until I got to this book. And this is where I confirmed just what kind of book this was. A rehash of other sources without any additional input. And that's why there was so much filler in the beginning.
Is it useful for a modern reader to get these rehashes of memoirs or journals? yeah I guess it is cause we may not have access to them, or we may not want to read ten journals or memoirs to get to the story, but this is a slim rewording of things imo. Most of these kinds of books are essentially that, but at least the better examples have some additional thought put in, or some analysis about why these things happened. In this case, there were MANY things to potentially analyze given the crazy shit that happened on multiple fronts. We didn't get that here tho, we got just a very limited retelling of the events.
Overall, this was a good read. The book didn't blow me away, but it was enjoyable. I would be interested to read the captain's own work now, as well as a deeper telling of the whole story.
July 23, 2024
On the cusp of the War of 1812, an American ship sets sail on a sealing expedition. The master, Charles Bernard, and the owners understand the risks, but if this venture proves successful, the skins and oil will garner them a sizable profit.
Although Charles is captain of this expedition, he is not the only master aboard. In fact, there are four others. Three sign on as partners in the venture; the fourth is Charles’s father. The remaining members of the expedition are eight crewmen and Charles’s dog, Cent.
Nanina reaches the Falklands on 7 September 1812. With five masters aboard, strife becomes an issue – one that is aggravated when another ship arrives with a letter from the owners. Since war has been declared between the United States and Great Britain, the owners urge Charles and the others to come home, but they ignore the request. As a result, their later encounter with shipwrecked passengers and crew from a British brig will have dire consequences for the Americans despite a peaceful accord with the survivors. Some will become prisoners of war; Charles and four others become stranded on one of the Falklands where they face inhospitable conditions for more than a year.
Black-and-white pictures depict people, floral, fauna, and places throughout the book; there is also a color section of photographs. The galley lacks an index, but it will be included in the published book. Much of the information imparted comes from period journals and documents.
Few readers will be aware of this historical event, one earmarked by betrayal, danger, and survival. Dolin does a masterful job of relating what transpires in a way that reads more like adventure fiction. He makes it clear from the start that this is not a treatise or exposé on seal hunting; this is a recounting of what happened and how it unfolded during a time of war and a time when sealing was an acceptable commercial venture. Human strengths and frailties are vividly recounted in ways that make readers wonder how such events can occur, and yet, viewing them through a modern lens, makes it clear that human nature hasn’t really changed much in the two centuries separating this event and today.
This review originally appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/Dolin.html...
Although Charles is captain of this expedition, he is not the only master aboard. In fact, there are four others. Three sign on as partners in the venture; the fourth is Charles’s father. The remaining members of the expedition are eight crewmen and Charles’s dog, Cent.
Nanina reaches the Falklands on 7 September 1812. With five masters aboard, strife becomes an issue – one that is aggravated when another ship arrives with a letter from the owners. Since war has been declared between the United States and Great Britain, the owners urge Charles and the others to come home, but they ignore the request. As a result, their later encounter with shipwrecked passengers and crew from a British brig will have dire consequences for the Americans despite a peaceful accord with the survivors. Some will become prisoners of war; Charles and four others become stranded on one of the Falklands where they face inhospitable conditions for more than a year.
Black-and-white pictures depict people, floral, fauna, and places throughout the book; there is also a color section of photographs. The galley lacks an index, but it will be included in the published book. Much of the information imparted comes from period journals and documents.
Few readers will be aware of this historical event, one earmarked by betrayal, danger, and survival. Dolin does a masterful job of relating what transpires in a way that reads more like adventure fiction. He makes it clear from the start that this is not a treatise or exposé on seal hunting; this is a recounting of what happened and how it unfolded during a time of war and a time when sealing was an acceptable commercial venture. Human strengths and frailties are vividly recounted in ways that make readers wonder how such events can occur, and yet, viewing them through a modern lens, makes it clear that human nature hasn’t really changed much in the two centuries separating this event and today.
This review originally appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/Dolin.html...
July 19, 2024
3.5 rounded upward.
When I saw this book, I was eager to read it. Shipwreck, treachery, and survival? It doesn't get a lot more exciting than that! I signed myself up for both the digital and audio galleys, and settled in to immerse myself in history.
My thanks go to NetGalley, RB Media, and W.W. Norton and Company for the galleys. This book is available for purchase now.
The book is well paced and well researched, with plenty of quotes from primary sources. The events described take place during the War of 1812, and involves British and American ships and crew members, none of them particularly lovable, but definitely resilient and ingenious at surviving in extremely dangerous conditions. The men on the American ship have been at sea since before war was declared, and are astonished to find themselves prisoners of war when they are rescued by the British at one point. There are a great many twists and turns, and this is one of those stories that would be considered completely unrealistic if written as fiction. What an experience these sailors endured!
Nevertheless, I am not the best audience for this story after all. I came into it thinking of history and survival, but when I applied for the galleys, I didn't fully appreciate the word "sealer" in the ship's description. Sealer, as in clubbing the seals to death. Hundreds! So easy! Filling the hold of the ship and...I will spare you the rest, since I was unable to spare myself. I sternly reminded myself that this was a different time period with different societal expectations. No animal had been declared endangered, and there had been no technologies that would render the need to wear animal skins for warmth obsolete. People need to stay warm and dry; seal skins will do that for them. I vowed to let it slide past and focus on the rest of the book; but it never slid past, because it was mentioned again, and again, and again, not with a tremendous amount of detail, yet far more than I needed or wanted to hear.
Yes, a baby is born on the ship, but that babe gets about three sentences. Yes, there's a dog on board, and he saves the crew members many times over, but his heroics don't show up until the last portion of the tale, and although other reviewers have said that the book is worth reading for this alone, I must respectfully disagree.
Clearly there are a number of people that appreciate and enjoy this book, and I agree that it's important to document historical events, but I finished reading this thing weeks ago, and I still get a sour gut remembering. If you still want to read it, then do so, but it's important to go in with your eyes wide open.
When I saw this book, I was eager to read it. Shipwreck, treachery, and survival? It doesn't get a lot more exciting than that! I signed myself up for both the digital and audio galleys, and settled in to immerse myself in history.
My thanks go to NetGalley, RB Media, and W.W. Norton and Company for the galleys. This book is available for purchase now.
The book is well paced and well researched, with plenty of quotes from primary sources. The events described take place during the War of 1812, and involves British and American ships and crew members, none of them particularly lovable, but definitely resilient and ingenious at surviving in extremely dangerous conditions. The men on the American ship have been at sea since before war was declared, and are astonished to find themselves prisoners of war when they are rescued by the British at one point. There are a great many twists and turns, and this is one of those stories that would be considered completely unrealistic if written as fiction. What an experience these sailors endured!
Nevertheless, I am not the best audience for this story after all. I came into it thinking of history and survival, but when I applied for the galleys, I didn't fully appreciate the word "sealer" in the ship's description. Sealer, as in clubbing the seals to death. Hundreds! So easy! Filling the hold of the ship and...I will spare you the rest, since I was unable to spare myself. I sternly reminded myself that this was a different time period with different societal expectations. No animal had been declared endangered, and there had been no technologies that would render the need to wear animal skins for warmth obsolete. People need to stay warm and dry; seal skins will do that for them. I vowed to let it slide past and focus on the rest of the book; but it never slid past, because it was mentioned again, and again, and again, not with a tremendous amount of detail, yet far more than I needed or wanted to hear.
Yes, a baby is born on the ship, but that babe gets about three sentences. Yes, there's a dog on board, and he saves the crew members many times over, but his heroics don't show up until the last portion of the tale, and although other reviewers have said that the book is worth reading for this alone, I must respectfully disagree.
Clearly there are a number of people that appreciate and enjoy this book, and I agree that it's important to document historical events, but I finished reading this thing weeks ago, and I still get a sour gut remembering. If you still want to read it, then do so, but it's important to go in with your eyes wide open.
May 14, 2024
When I read the blurb for this book, I thought I was in for a good story, and some history. But boy, was I wrong. It was a FANTASTIC story, with a lot of history.
Shipwrecked, several British subjects are wondering if they are destined to spend their last days on the small island in the Falklands. Salvation comes from a small group of American sealers, who, despite the War of 1812 raging, take pity on the castaways. They strike an agreement with the British, who are very ready to leave the island behind for good. But the story will not end here. There is going to be a mutiny, treachery, a stolen ship, and a group left behind, and later feared dead by their loved ones.
Get settled in and prepare to lose yourself in a story that will not seem real. That anyone could survive the harsh winters, and persevere to return home is amazing enough. But then there is the stolen ship to deal with (and here you are going to want to rough up the moron that decided it was a good idea). Then, the treacherous British castaways (who should have just been left where they were, for all the trouble they caused), and the determination and grit of the American crew to not only get home, but recover their property.
I absolutely LOVED this book. I was hooked from the start. I listened to an audiobook version, and the narrator was absolutely perfect for this read. While I love history, this was one story from the War of 1812 that has not been widely covered, nor have we really considered the heroism that these men displayed, despite the war that was raging.
Get ready for a piece of history that is going to leave you picking your jaw up off the floor more than once! Adventure awaits!
Thank you to NetGalley, RB Media, and W.W. Norton for an advanced copy of this book and audiobook for my unbiased review
Shipwrecked, several British subjects are wondering if they are destined to spend their last days on the small island in the Falklands. Salvation comes from a small group of American sealers, who, despite the War of 1812 raging, take pity on the castaways. They strike an agreement with the British, who are very ready to leave the island behind for good. But the story will not end here. There is going to be a mutiny, treachery, a stolen ship, and a group left behind, and later feared dead by their loved ones.
Get settled in and prepare to lose yourself in a story that will not seem real. That anyone could survive the harsh winters, and persevere to return home is amazing enough. But then there is the stolen ship to deal with (and here you are going to want to rough up the moron that decided it was a good idea). Then, the treacherous British castaways (who should have just been left where they were, for all the trouble they caused), and the determination and grit of the American crew to not only get home, but recover their property.
I absolutely LOVED this book. I was hooked from the start. I listened to an audiobook version, and the narrator was absolutely perfect for this read. While I love history, this was one story from the War of 1812 that has not been widely covered, nor have we really considered the heroism that these men displayed, despite the war that was raging.
Get ready for a piece of history that is going to leave you picking your jaw up off the floor more than once! Adventure awaits!
Thank you to NetGalley, RB Media, and W.W. Norton for an advanced copy of this book and audiobook for my unbiased review
May 23, 2024
The true story of five castaways abandoned on the Falkland Islands during the War of 1812, highlighting treachery, shipwreck, and survival. Follow the complex encounter between an American sealing vessel, a shipwrecked British brig, and a British warship, which left three British sailors and two Americans stranded for eighteen months. The tale involves greed, bullying, leadership, ingenuity, severe privation, a perilous journey, an improbable rescue, and legal battles, showcasing noble and atrocious actions under wartime duress.
I’m not sure why I’m fascinated by maritime disasters but I always enjoy learning about them. This is a shipwreck I’d never heard of before, so I was interested to learn more about it. This book did not disappoint. It is just as dramatic as the book blurb says.
As in many disasters, this highlights some of the worst qualities in humanity: greed, pride, and stubbornness. But it also shows some of the best qualities: resilience, forgiveness, and mercy. Hearing how the five men survived kept me glued to the narrative. The author draws on logbooks and reports from the time. I also appreciate that while the author notes that sealing is not done now, it was an acceptable practice at the time, and leaves it at that.
I listened to the audio version of the book and enjoyed every minute. The narrator had a calm voice that was a delight to listen to.
I would recommend this to readers interested in maritime history and true stories. I received an advance copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
I’m not sure why I’m fascinated by maritime disasters but I always enjoy learning about them. This is a shipwreck I’d never heard of before, so I was interested to learn more about it. This book did not disappoint. It is just as dramatic as the book blurb says.
As in many disasters, this highlights some of the worst qualities in humanity: greed, pride, and stubbornness. But it also shows some of the best qualities: resilience, forgiveness, and mercy. Hearing how the five men survived kept me glued to the narrative. The author draws on logbooks and reports from the time. I also appreciate that while the author notes that sealing is not done now, it was an acceptable practice at the time, and leaves it at that.
I listened to the audio version of the book and enjoyed every minute. The narrator had a calm voice that was a delight to listen to.
I would recommend this to readers interested in maritime history and true stories. I received an advance copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
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