The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder

A gripping account of survival, mutiny, and murder at sea, The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder plunges readers into a harrowing true story that captivated a nation. This #1 New York Times Best Seller, lauded by publications like The Wall Street Journal and TIME, reconstructs the dramatic events following the wreck of His Majesty's Ship the Wager off the coast of Patagonia in 1742.

The narrative unfolds with the arrival of thirty emaciated survivors in Brazil, their tale of a perilous journey and survival. Yet, their story is soon challenged by three castaways who land in Chile with a vastly different account, alleging tyranny and murder. This divergence ignites a high-stakes court martial, where the truth behind the Wager's fate and the very nature of empire are put on trial.

David Grann, author of Killers of the Flower Moon, delivers a tour de force of narrative nonfiction. His meticulous research and compelling storytelling bring the desperation of the castaways and the intrigue of the court martial to life, rivaling the immersive detail of historical naval fiction and the suspense of a legal thriller. Recognized as a Best Book of the Year by numerous prestigious outlets, including The New York Times and The New Yorker, this work stands as a testament to human endurance and the complexities of truth.