The Wager

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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Killers of the Flower Moon comes a gripping tale of shipwreck, survival, and the dark side of human nature, culminating in a court martial that unveils a shocking truth. On January 28, 1742, a battered vessel washed ashore in Brazil, carrying thirty emaciated men who were survivors of His Majesty's Ship the Wager. This British ship had embarked on a secret mission during an imperial war with Spain, aiming to capture a treasure-laden galleon. However, it wrecked on a desolate island off Patagonia, leading to months of starvation and desperation for the crew. They constructed a makeshift craft and sailed over 3,000 miles through treacherous seas, arriving in Brazil as heroes. Yet, six months later, another decrepit boat reached Chile, containing only three castaways who told a starkly different story. The men hailed as heroes were accused of mutiny, while the first group countered with allegations against a tyrannical officer. This descent into anarchy on the island saw factions battling for control. With accusations of treachery and murder rampant, the Admiralty convened a court martial to uncover the truth, where the stakes were life and death. This narrative captures the extremes of human behavior and the complexities of survival, with twists that keep readers enthralled.