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The Last Voyage of Columbus (Abridged): Being the Epic Tale of the Great Captain's Fourth Expedition Including Accounts of Swordfight, Mutiny, Shipwreck, Gold, War, Hurrican, and Discovery Audiobook
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(4.00) - 58 listener ratings
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The Year is 1500. Christopher Columbus, stripped of his title Admiral of the Ocean Seas, waits in chains in a Caribbean prison built under his orders, looking out at the colony that he founded, nurtured, and ruled for eight years. Less than a decade after discovering the New World, he has fallen into disgrace, accused by the royal court of being a liar, a secret Jew, and a foreigner who sought to steal the riches of the New World for himself.
The tall, freckled explorer with the aquiline nose, whose flaming red hair long ago turned gray, passes his days in prayer and rumination, trying to ignore the waterfront gallows that are all too visible from his cell. And he plots for one great escape, one last voyage to the ends of the earth, one final chance to prove himself. What follows is one of history's most epic -- and forgotten -- adventures. Columbus himself would later claim that his fourth voyage was his greatest. It was without doubt his most treacherous. Of the four ships he led into the unknown, none returned. Columbus would face the worst storms a European explorer had ever encountered. He would battle to survive amid mutiny, war, and a shipwreck that left him stranded on a desert isle for almost a year.
On his tail were his enemies, sent from Europe to track him down. In front of him: the unknown. Martin Dugard's thrilling account of this final voyage brings Columbus to life as never before-adventurer, businessman, father, lover, tyrant, and hero.
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"This was great--a lot of fun. Columbus is such an interesting (and controversial) character, and the circumstances of his fourth voyage make for a wonderful and entertaining story. Dugard does a fantastic job a dramatizing the whole thing. The subtitle gives a good synopsis. If you like mutiny, shipwrecks, and discovery, this is the book for you. If not, get back to crocheting doilies."
— Garrett (5 out of 5 stars)
The Last Voyage of Columbus Listener Reviews
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" This was a good book, very informative, but the first 3/4ths of the book just drag on and on. I dont think I would reccomend this unless you are specifically interested in history. "
— Molly, 2/19/2014 -
" Great historical account of Columbus' 4th and last voyage. Moves quickly and is well written and clearly well researched. "
— Ted, 2/10/2014 -
" Read this page turner on Columbus Day. "
— Kim, 2/7/2014 -
" This was a very enjoyable read for one who loves accounts of those bold European white men and their voyages of exploration in the New World. "
— Jonathan, 1/28/2014 -
" This book ends up focusing on Columbus' last journey for most of the second half. The first half lays the groundwork for understanding the individuals and their motivations. The facts of the fourth and final voyage are pretty interesting, but some interesting and important events felt rushed (e.g. while marooned on Jamaica awaiting rescue, Columbus's men split into a group of mutineers and loyalists who eventually had a battle in the sand which lasted about two pages). Interesting book if you're looking to learn more about Columbus beyond the nursery school rhyme, but it will probably leave you wanting more if you're truly interested in the subject. "
— Kevin, 1/11/2014 -
" The story of Columbus' last voyage which lasted from May 1502 to Nov. 1504. It is a tale of betrayal, shipwrecks, rebellion, gold, war, hurricanes and discovery.The reader did a great job with the book. "
— Frederick, 1/9/2014 -
" Martin Dugard has a special writing style that pulls you in. Forget the notion that Columbus discovered America and learn the real truth from Mr. Dugard. "
— Sarah, 12/26/2013 -
" Awesome story. I picked it up and couldn't put down. I haven't a clue how these guys endured s much hardship. Gold, the petroleum of the early sixteenth century, must have had some exceptional motivational effect. "
— José, 12/25/2013 -
" A very satisfying nonfiction account of this voyage. Captures the feel of exploring in that era. New respect for Columbus. "
— Jim, 12/10/2013 -
" I read this awhile ago but remember absolutely loving it! Written very well for a historical novel. Really interesting view into the historical figure. "
— Cberman, 11/24/2013 -
" As important as the first voyage was, this: his last voyage really gives a glimpse into his later years with the struggles of money, failing fame, and age. He was truely amazing. "
— Biosyd, 8/28/2013 -
" Having never read anything specific to CC before, I loved it. "
— David, 8/17/2013 -
" One of the best books I have read about early history. Incredibly rich in detail. Columbus was truly an "Admiral" of the seas...A must read for history buffs.. "
— John, 5/4/2013 -
" I love history. This book really digs deep into what really happened during Columbus' voyages (specifically his last one). Great story telling....quite an adventure. "
— Marisol, 1/6/2013 -
" Very interesting indeed. I bet none of you knew that ole Christopher Columbus was shipwrecked for over a year in Jamaica. They didn't teach you that stuff at Boone County High School. "
— Tim, 11/25/2012 -
" Being an explorer in 1500 was not for the faint of heart. About half his crew of 140 on 4 ships were only in their teens. It is an epic tale. "
— Don, 4/12/2012 -
" I felt like was on the voyage with Columbus! Looking for a good expedition book? Here it is! "
— Jessica, 3/22/2012 -
" a very fluid narrative filled with wonderful details and adventure. A great place to start on the History of North America "
— Mike, 2/3/2012 -
" I found this unexpectedly fascinating. Columbus was certainly a master navigator and sailor. I probably shouldn't have been surprised that there was so much greed in his day from people who wanted to gain from Columbus' achievements. The narrator was wonderful and the CD very well done. "
— Janet, 11/8/2011 -
" reads a little quick. that's the problem with most of these quasi - historical books. they must remain readable for everyone not interested in the depths of scholarship. but well enough done. history rings true. well researched. the pages do turn. "
— Dylan, 11/1/2011 -
" Very interesting indeed. I bet none of you knew that ole Christopher Columbus was shipwrecked for over a year in Jamaica. They didn't teach you that stuff at Boone County High School. "
— Tim, 4/13/2011 -
" I read this awhile ago but remember absolutely loving it! Written very well for a historical novel. Really interesting view into the historical figure. "
— Cberman, 4/5/2011 -
" Being an explorer in 1500 was not for the faint of heart. About half his crew of 140 on 4 ships were only in their teens. It is an epic tale. "
— Don, 11/12/2010 -
" This was a good book, very informative, but the first 3/4ths of the book just drag on and on. I dont think I would reccomend this unless you are specifically interested in history. "
— Molly, 6/6/2010 -
" hmm one of my all time favorites. This is where the term swashbuckling developed. I can't believe this happened, and is not a tale. A really engrossing story of Columbus's last trip and the crazy obsticles he encountered. "
— Wade, 3/5/2010 -
" General History of Christopher Columbus and a deeper account of his last and fourth voyage. Relatively good read. Sex and sexuality was treated a bit vulgarly. Lots of adventure and the events and history put into perspective. "
— Dennis, 8/30/2009 -
" This was a very enjoyable read for one who loves accounts of those bold European white men and their voyages of exploration in the <em>New World</em>. "
— Jonathan, 6/24/2009 -
" As important as the first voyage was, this: his last voyage really gives a glimpse into his later years with the struggles of money, failing fame, and age. He was truely amazing. "
— Biosyd, 1/12/2009
About Martin Dugard
Martin Dugard is the New York Times bestselling author of several books of history. His book Into Africa: The Epic Adventures of Stanley and Livingstone was adapted into a History Channel special. He lives in southern California with his wife and sons.