Magellan (newly published)

[Guest Robert Johnson]

Book Title and Authors

 

MAGELLAN (by Francis Guillemard, Antonio Pigafetta, Francisco Albo, Gaspar Correa)

 

 

Synopsis

 

Ferdinand Magellan was born in Portugal in 1480. In 1517, he went to Spain to see the teenaged Spanish king, the future Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. He sought and gained his support for the first voyage around the world.

 

In 1519, by then Spanish, Magellan set out from Spain in command of a fleet of five ships. His aim was to sail around the southern tip of South America, even though it was then not known if there was such a route. From there he aimed to make the first ever journey across the Pacific Ocean to the tremendously lucrative Spice Islands, before completing his journey around the world by returning to Spain.

 

The ship’s crew saw lands, seas, animals, plants, fruits and peoples never seen by Europeans before, including a "camel without humps" (possibly a llama, guanaco, vicuña, or alpaca), and a penguin, that they described as a "black goose" that had to be skinned instead of plucked.

 

They were astonished by the appearance of a Patagonian Giant - a man of gigantic stature on the beach, who sang and danced, pouring sand upon his head in token of amity.

 

They were the first Europeans to sail around the south of South America, and to sail across the Pacific Ocean, which was named by them. They were also the first to sail from Europe westwards to Asia, and the first men to sail around the world. Their epic voyage continued despite mutiny, starvation (which caused them to eat rats, hides and sawdust), scurvy, warfare, and treachery, that resulted in the considerable loss of lives and ships.

 

Included are all of the first hand accounts of their journey, recorded by Antonio Pigafetta, Francisco Albo, "the unknown Portuguese", Gaspar Correa, the "Genoese pilot", and by Maximilian Transylvanus.

 

Of the five ships and more than 270 men that set out on that famous first voyage around the world, only one ship was to complete it, with only eighteen of those men aboard, but Magellan was not one of them.

 

Official web site : http://viartis.net/publishers/magellan.htm

 

 

Thoughts and opinions

 

I'm a prolific reader of biographies. Unfortunately, most of them leave a lot out. I have to end up reading several books for just one person. This biography of Magellan makes a nice change, as it includes everything - every fact, every document, every description. I'm surprised that Hollywood hasn't grabbed hold of this story. Besides its historical significance, it's got everything : warfare, treachery, danger, starvartion, the unknown, the exotic, the unusual. The final paragraph of the synopsis shows how dramatic the journey must have been : Of the five ships and more than 270 men that set out on that famous first voyage around the world, only one ship was to complete it, with only eighteen of those men aboard, but Magellan was not one of them.

Edited August 28, 2008 by Kell
Please do NOT use bold for entire posts

[supergran71]

Was it a long read Robert? It sounds a very interesting and exciting delve into history.Are the facts presented researched and verified? It does sound as if it would lend itself to a Hollywood blockbuster, perhaps directed by Stephen Spielberg, maybe starring Russell Crow

[Guest Robert Johnson]

Supergran, if he grew a beard, Russell Crowe would be ideal for Magellan. They both seem to have the determined attitude of - I'll do what I want no matter what - regardless of the trouble I get in to as a result of it.

 

There is talk of Hollywood covering Magellan. If Spielberg did it, it would be a dramatric episode every ten minutes. After mutiny and executions in South America, it went to being marooned in Argentina. Then they had only rats and sawdust to eat whilst making the first ever crossing of the Pacific - not really knowing where they were going. No sooner had they gone half way round the world than Magellan decided on a war he had no reason to fight, despite being massively outnumbered. The events that took place make the story of Columbus look brief and trivial in comparison.

 

The book is really thoroughly researched. All the original documents are included rather than at most referred to, which is what you usually get with biographies. One of those documents is a first hand account by Antonio Pigafetta, who was one of only 18 men than completed the journey. He only managed to complete the journey to tell the tale because of orange marmelade ! Whilst the others were dying of scurvy, he inadvertently got his vitamin C each day from eating a spoonful of orange marmelade each night.

Edited August 28, 2008 by Kell
Please do NOT use bold for entire posts

[Michelle]

I've moved this to what I believe is a more appropriate section, as I'm rather suspicious that you're involved in this book.

[Guest Robert Johnson]

All the authors are dead ! I don't see there being much chance of any of them adding to The Book Club Forum.

Edited August 28, 2008 by Kell
Please do NOT use bold for entire posts

[Michelle]

I'm sure the editors aren't though, and going by our past experience on here, your post comes across as promotional.

[Guest Robert Johnson]

The next time I give my opinion of a book, I'll make sure that I either give such a bad review of the book that I won't be falsely accused of writing it, or I'll put it in "Author's promotions" and falsely claim that I have written it.

Edited August 28, 2008 by Kell
Please do NOT use bold for entire posts

[~Andrea~]

It's a little unusual for genuine new members to jump right in with a review without introducing themselves first. If someone with just one or two posts jumps on board with dazzling review of a newly published book, then unfortunately it does look suspicious.

 

I notice you haven't denied that you have any involvement with this book

[Michelle]

a) most people post in some of the more general posts before leaving reviews / opinions

web sites for specific books usually only appear in promotional posts

c) you'd be amazed about the number of people who come and tell us about a wonderful new book, only for us to find proof that they're the author / publisher - it gets a bit tiring, and has made us rather suspicious

d) your email address has more to do with one of the editor names, than your username - I didn't accuse you of writing it, just being involved.

 

If you can tell me, hand on heart, that you have nothing to do with this book, then I will move it back to the correct place.

[Guest Robert Johnson]

I read the guidelines. There was nothing at all in there about people having to introduce themselves.

 

You obviously haven't checked my posts because I added elsewhere on the forum first before providing details of the book.

 

The guidelines clearly state that the source of any information must be provided. I provided the web site for the synopsis, which according to the rules must be done. It's your rules. Don't criticise me for complying with them.

 

"Wonderful Book !" and "Dazzling review !" are a gross distortion of what I have written. "It makes a nice change" is the only comment I gave !

 

I don't care where you put the review. In future, I'll put all reviews under "Author's promotions" even though I've never written a book in my life. That way, nobody will falsely accuse me, or resort to blatantly misrepresenting what I have written.

 

I'm reading Jane Austen at present. So can you please change my username to Jane Austen so that I can justify putting it in "Author's promotions". If you don't, and I give a it a good review, no doubt somebody will accuse me of actually being Jane Austen trying to plug her own book.

Edited August 28, 2008 by Kell
Please do NOT use bold for entire posts

[Michelle]

I simply gave you my reasons for the suspicion, there was no need for a stroppy or sarcastic reply.

[Guest Robert Johnson]

I simply provided a review. There was no need for a series of false statements concerning my actions.

Edited August 28, 2008 by Kell
Please do NOT use bold for entire posts

[Michelle]

I have to make decisions on here, based on the information in front of me. All you had to do was inform me that you weren't involved with the book. Discussion closed, I think.

[~Andrea~]

Oh wow No offence intended Robert.