Batavia

By: Peter FitzSimons

Narrated by: Richard Aspel

Length: 17 hrs

Publisher's summary

The story begins in 1629, when the pride of the Dutch East India Company, the Batavia, is on its maiden voyage en route from Amsterdam to the Dutch East Indies, laden down with the greatest treasure to leave Holland. The magnificent ship is already boiling over with a mutinous plot that is just about to break into the open when, just off the coast of Western Australia, it strikes an unseen reef in the middle of the night. While Commandeur Francisco Pelsaert decides to take the longboat across 2,000 miles of open sea for help, his second-in-command Jeronimus Cornelisz takes over, quickly deciding that 250 people on a small island is unwieldy for the small number of supplies they have.

Quietly, he puts forward a plan to 40 odd mutineers how they could save themselves, kill most of the rest, and spare only a half-dozen or so women, including his personal fancy, Lucretia Jansz - one of the noted beauties of Holland - to service their sexual needs. A reign of terror begins, countered only by a previously anonymous soldier, Wiebbe Hayes, who begins to gather to him those are prepared to do what it takes to survive....

©2011 Peter FitzSimons (P)2011 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Astonishing History

What a revelation. FitzSimons' depth or research is quite the benchmark. It's the most surreal piece of naval history I have encountered.
I am dissappointed bythe narration unfortunately. The narrator really battles to pronouce the Dutch and other language names and places.

As usual Peter FitzSimons does an Amazing Job!

I have enjoyed Peter Fitzsimons book. I haven't been disappointed by any of them. He writes in a way that brings the people to life.

Shipwreck and murder

It was a very thorough book of the incident. You could feel the tension. Those guys were barbaric and you get all the brutal details. One thing I did notice though as each incident, one after another, was described, was how much the author knew. It seemed implausible to know what happened in each tent or every aspect of every murder. After a while, I kept thinking, well how do we know that? I believe there was a disclaimer at the beginning about filling in details, but can’t quite remember. It was a good read though and now I’m hearing about the Batavia in other books and know what they’re talking about.

Moving.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. A great story tinged with all the emotions. Highs and very lows and knowing that the events actually occurred give the story an added edge. Highly recommended.

What did you like best about this story?

Apart from the historical significance and actually having visited the Abrolhos Islands more than once, the characters were brought to life by superb narration.

Which character – as performed by Richard Aspel – was your favorite?

Pelesart

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but impossible.

Great

I couldn't put it down. May have been a bit gruesome at times, but that didn't slow me down. Both the story and narration were the best. It was hard to believe that it was true.

A mesmerizing tale of survival.

This is hands down the best narrated book I’ve listened to. Extremely entertaining! You won’t be disappointed.

They need to make a movie of this

Seriously epic novel. Beautifully written! I couldn't recommend it enough. Someone needs to make a movie about this epic adventure.

Wonderful

The most entertaining, exciting, insightful and just pure enjoyment of any book I have ever read / listened to! Don't pass this one up. I even got on Google Earth and eventually found the wreck site off of the western coast of Australia. An incredible story and one that Hollywood will probably make a movie of.

Captivating

Such a captivating story! I am totally enthralled and eager to hear what happens next at each turning point. The historical context makes it even more incredible but this audio book can stand next to any entirely fictional tale with the same level of drama. Love it!

A gripping book.

I listen to audible books while walking. I walked 7 miles in Texas today with a heat index well over 100! The story is incredible! I just want to walk and listen. The author paints a great picture of life in the 1600’s while stranded on islands of the west coast of Australia !