The Wager by David Grann
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Book Overview:
In The Wager by David Grann, we learn of the devastating tale of the British vessel The Wager as it set sail in 1740 on a secret mission during the height of the imperial war with Spain. Once out on open sea the seamen faced numerous difficulties from disease, rough waters, and challenging weather that made the journey difficult. Ultimately after a prolonged stint of battling these insurmountable conditions The Wager would become shipwrecked off the coast of Patagonia.
After struggling with starvation, lack of shelter and poor access to clean drinking water the men became infuriated with the leadership of their captain and devised a plan to escape and travel towards home. So, these men built a raft and traveled nearly 3,000 miles of turbulent sea to the distant shores of Brazil were they were declared heros. Little did they know of their mutinous history and the lengths that they went through to make their escape.
It wouldn’t be until much later when a seperate boat with a new set of castaways would sound the alarm and declare them as mutineers that should face the highest penalty for their crimes. Hence, forcing the Admiraltry to conduct a court martial to discover what really happened and who was telling the truth. For if the claims of mutiny proved correct the price would be death by hanging. With lives on the line what would become of these two groups of men?
My Review:
First and foremost let me say that this novel exceeded my expectations. When I first decided to pick up this book I feared it would read like a textbook coming across as dry and emotionless. But oh how delighted was I to learn that Grann’s writing style was nothing of the sort. This story contained so much emotion and passion. It truly showcased the author’s ability to relay a historical account of actual events in such a way that you’re invested and compelled by what’s happening.
Then there’s the fact that Grann obviously did his research. The detail that he was able to provide and the background into the events that transpired showed that he took care to stick to the facts of the story as much as possible.
Furthermore, Grann makes his intentions clear regarding the deeper themes he’s focused on. The first being how human behavior is negatively impacted when placed under extreme conditions. The second being the questionable tactics that an empire in this case the British Monarchy would pursue in order to extend their power during their battle with Spain.
He takes you to the very beginning sharing the supposed reasoning behind the secret mission and how they went to such lengths as kidnapping men that were known sailors to serve the Admiralty in order for to fully staff the ships so their mission could proceed.
We also learn some background information on a few of the seamen giving them dimension and making them come across as more dynamic and complex. This provided a better understanding of these men’s motivations and mindset before everything transpired.
Grann also does a great job depicting the struggles the men faced at sea and the barbarism that occured on the island after the shipwreck. This for me showed that the seamen’s descent into madness was a slow buildup of various things that happened during their journey leading to the anarchy that took place on the island.
We learn what happened to the mutineers and the castaways and their differing accounts of what really happened on the island. From the mutiny and accusations of murder it’s apparant how quickly the men forgot their actions and the magnitude they would have upon returning home.
Grann did an excellent job driving home his themes which led me to think deeper about the mindset and motivations regarding colonization and the pursuit of power and greed. How during this pivotal time in history this was considered a noble pursuit. To extend one’s dynasty and lay claim to foreign lands and the goods they produced.
How this type of thinking is bred from elitism, xenophobia and racism. Grann even mentions at one part of the story how when the indigenous people of Patagonia came to assist and help the castaways many of the men looked down on them and considered them to be “savages” because of their dress and their lifestyle.
It makes me think about how many of these men lost their lives during this journey all while pursuing treasure and the supposed glory of advancing their cause and striking a blow against the Spainards. Was this venture successful? Was it worth all the fallout that happened? It seems so little was gained in the end.
My personal thoughts and wonderings aside this novel is excellent. And if you love learning about history and how the world we live in today was shaped by the pursuits, and ideas of those that came before us this will not dissappoint.
