Play Book Tag discussion

Well written but they killed the dog (and chucked many animals overboard) so that had to cut a star.

I get it was a different time and attitudes to animals and people of different cultures were different due to ignorance, but it still isn't pleasant to read in detail. We know and don't need full detail.

Grann did a good job on trying to provide a balanced explanation of what happened. He managed to make all the main characters fallible but understandable. No human is perfect so the reader can accept that everyone made mistakes. Anyone who has been exhausted and hungry knows that tempers fray and most of us have not had to put up with it for months, only a couple of days. Anyone who has been constantly itchy due to allergies, mosquitoes etc knows that also makes tempers fray. Being stuck with no food, shelter and infested with fleas would make anyone moody especially for months on end. The conditions these men endured, while still retaining some decency, are miraculous. The admiralty seem to have done the fairest thing in their judgement.

Grann also raises the issue of colonisation multiple times. Sadly humanity doesn't seem to have learnt much there. Powerful nations are still invading weaker ones (Israel vs Gaza and Russia vs Ukraine) insisting that they know better and are entitled to invade. Colonised people from centuries ago are insisting they know better too. Religious groups insist their way is best and try to force their religion on others. We have not learnt.

I need to get this one again. I had it, at one point during the year, and could not fit it in the rotation. Nice review. Jen.

This was fascinating and would be unbelievable if it were fiction. I have a weakness for sea stories in general.

Robin P wrote: "This was fascinating and would be unbelievable if it were fiction. I have a weakness for sea stories in general."

Sadly I found it very believable and very understandable, then again I haven't exactly had a sheltered life.

This one is scowling at me from the kitchen bench, saying “You promised to read me this month…”

It’s about to get moved for Christmas lunch preparations but your review has reminded me to put it somewhere I won’t forget it!

Great review of the book. I enjoyed this one and Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, both by David Grann. I'm gonna try his other two also.

Jason wrote: "Great review of the book. I enjoyed this one and Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, both by David Grann. I'm gonna try his oth..."

Have you tried The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon? That's also good.