Wreckers

Focusing on the shipwrecks and failures during the early age of imperialism, this history challenges the romanticized narrative of heroic explorers. It reveals the misadventures of figures like Christopher Columbus, who faced multiple shipwrecks, and Vasco de Gama, who relied on a local pilot to navigate the Indian Ocean. By exploring these maritime disasters, the book uncovers lesser-known characters and provides a fresh perspective on a pivotal era, emphasizing the complexities and tragedies of European expansion rather than glorifying its successes.