Over the Edge of the World: Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe

Laurence Bergreen

Oct 2009 · Sold by Harper Collins

About this ebook

“A first-rate historical page turner.” —New York Times Book Review

The acclaimed and bestselling account of Ferdinand Magellan’s historic 60,000-mile ocean voyage.

Ferdinand Magellan's daring circumnavigation of the globe in the sixteenth century was a three-year odyssey filled with sex, violence, and amazing adventure. Now in Over the Edge of the World, prize-winning biographer and journalist Laurence Bergreen entwines a variety of candid, firsthand accounts, bringing to life this groundbreaking and majestic tale of discovery that changed both the way explorers would henceforth navigate the oceans and history itself.

Now updated to include a new introduction commemorating the 500th anniversary of Magellan’s voyage.

Ratings and reviews

I love a great boom about history, and this book is one of the best I've read in a while. It paints the story, leaving you with a tremendous sense of awe for the salpilorsmon this voyage.

This history is a terrific read. The author not only tells the actual facts and details of the Voyage but also weaves in fascinating back story of others who were not on the ships. This is a well-written story about what started out as five ships from Spain. There are power struggles, mutinies, loyalties and betrayals, death, murders, ships burned, lies and truth, massive storms, and more. The author has done an excellent job of telling a story and not a dull history. This book is an engrossing adventure based on facts and well-researched material. You will not be disappointed. Review by Charles Ynfante.

A very engaging historical account of the expedition. Found it to be very enjoyable, engaging and informative read.

About the author

LAURENCE BERGREEN is the bestselling author of Over the Edge of the World: Magellan’s Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe. His other books include Columbus: The Four Voyages, 1492–1504; Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu; and Voyage to Mars: NASA’s Search for Life Beyond Earth. A graduate of Harvard, Bergreen lives in Manhattan.