Mutiny, murder and mayhem on the first circumnavigation of the world.


The Line of Demarcation divides the world between Portugal and Spain but no one knows on which side the fabulous Spice Isles lie, least of all the inhabitants. Only one man has the skill, knowledge, and iron will to settle the question: Ferdinand Magellan, who is hated in both Spain and Portugal.
Antonio Pigafetta, former ambassador of the Vatican and a refugee from religious turmoil, casts his lot with a captain set up to fail. He has no idea what he has let himself in for. Mutiny, murder, shipwreck and religious wars are just part of it In the background is the sinister figure of Bishop Fonseca, head of the Casa de Contratacion with power over the ships of the armada and all its people. The bishop's bastard, Juan de Cartagena, covets command of the armada and will stop at nothing to displace Magellan but he underestimates the captain general's iron will and steely determination. Magellan is ruthless in putting down any threats to his authority while confronting his own demons. Not once but three times he stamps out rebellion, which only brings him into submission to the highest authority of all.The fatal flaw in his character is his own downfall.
For Pigafetta, the first circumnavigation of the world is a spiritual journey as well as an unparalleled adventure. At a time when the Spanish Inquisition tortures and murders unbelievers, Pigafetta discovers compassion and questions his own faith. Pigafetta's dilemma is whether the puzzle of how a man as eminent as Pope Leo could be so wicked and how a man as wicked as Magellan could be so noble.





Review by: Rod Fisher This is a great read of Magellan's voyage as seen through the eyes of Pigafetta, his personal assistant. Too often men like Magellan who have made a profound impact on the history and discovery of the world are denigrated by revisionist historians who dwell on their mistakes and weaknesses. But when the world was a mystery it took rare exceptional personalities to lead others into the unknown. Magellan and Columbus had faults but they had a singular unwavering purpose and never faltered in accomplishing it. This account of Magellan's voyage doesn't judge him by our modern cultural standards but places him in the proper context of the 16th century. Well done Mr. Regan.

• We started tracking this book on June 12, 2018.
• This book was $0.00 when we started tracking it.
• The price of this book has changed 18 times in the past 2,617 days.
• The current price of this book is FREE last checked 3 hours ago.
• The lowest price to date was FREE last reached on August 9, 2025.
• This book has been FREE 10 times since we started tracking it.
• The highest price to date was $0.99 last reached on July 30, 2025.
• This book has been $0.99 9 times since we started tracking it.
• This book is currently at its lowest price since we started tracking it.

• Literature & FictionHistorical Fiction

• Text-to-Speech: Disabled
• Lending: Disabled
• Print Length: 323 Pages
• File Size: 838 KB