by Stephen Taylor
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| List Price: | $24.95 |
| Average Rating: |  |
| Lowest New Price: | $8.86 |
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Product Description
In 1783, 125 Europeans found themselves shipwrecked in a frightful land. Taylor takes the reader to the heart of South Africa to analyze the misunderstandings that led to tragedy, tell the story of those who returned, and unravel the mystery of those who stayed.
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Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Pondoland and colonialists., 2008-07-25
This is a very engrossing story, and I did not have much of a problem reading additional information (not directly related to the tragedy of castaways) about the careers of those who came to grief in Pondoland in 1782, the society in England and Bengal/Calcutta from which they were drawn, and the culture of local Africa's clans with which they interacted and came into conflict. History of the first Dutch settlement in Cape Town area is also interesting, shedding some light on early beginning of South Africa country. Positively, this historical book is in the same league as "Skeletons of the Zahara" and "Wreck of the Medusa". How different were dwellers of the East Coast from the mean tribes in the West Coast of Africa where slavery was not unknown even before arrival of English slave ships! Author points out several times about general hardship of the seamen in this Nelson's era, when they preferred to be forced/enlisted on Indiaman or slave ship instead of being drafted by British Navy.
Very good read and not because of the bargain price.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 3-1/2 stars - Worth reading, 2008-04-06
Caliban's shore is a well written story & worth the read. I don't want to give away details - I would rather just say that if you like true historical adventures this book is worth getting. In a similar vein I would say "Skeleton's on the Zahara" is slightly better & "In the Heart of the Sea" is better still. If you like this type of book get all three.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
 Window on a Vanished World, 2007-04-14
I really can't add much to the glowing reviews of this superb book. Suffice it to say that the author, Stephen Taylor, uses a shipwreck on the Transkei coast as a springboard to reconstruct an entire world -- the world of 18th century seafaring, Pondo tribal life, the politics of the East India Company, European racial and sexual phobias, and more. His writing is flawless, whether describing African scenery or the interior lives of long-dead people. "Caliban's Shore" is a small masterpiece of historical and imaginative recreation. Six stars.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
One of the Better Shipwreck/Seafaring History Books, 2006-12-18
Stehpen Taylor has done a masterful job researching and putting together the sad, tragic tale of the Grosvenor and the fate of its survivors. In addition, I found his place-setting and contextual storytelling regarding Indian society, the British mercantile economy, and the spice trades around the late 1700s to be exemplary.
What I liked best about this book is Taylor's engrossing writing - he has written a compelling narrative, bringing to life each of the many characters encountered in this lost world, and effectively organizing a massive research project to collect it all together.
For my money, Caliban's Shore is certainly in the top pantheon for shipwreck/seafaring tales of historical misadventure, and one I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys this type of non-fiction.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Not your average shipwreck book, 2006-10-28
If you like shipwreck stories from the sailing era, consider this a 'must.' Not because it is so well written. It's a workman like job but Philbrick's "In the Heart of the Sea" wins that prize. Not because it is so well researched. It is well researched, to the point where it could do with a bit less speculation, especially at the end. Rather, this is not your usual 'cast out to sea in a little boat for weeks on end' story. Here you have over 100 people in the late 18th century, almost the entire crew and passengers, safely deposited on Africa's southeastern shore near fresh water and a native village . . . and only a few survive. How can that be? Read the book.
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