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I was, however, disappointed that I found myself in a book that reads more as a courtroom drama than adventure on the high seas. However, is that characterization correct. I was well aware of the portrait of Bligh as a tyrannical madman forcing his subordinates to his will. The narrative does drag at times but there is always something interesting right around the next few pages. This seems a partial explanation in my mind however, because Fletcher's reaction seems so abrupt and drastic. All in all the book is well researched, detailed, and does a good job of showing what eventually became of the major characters.
I began reading with the expectation that the mutiny would take place with some swashbuckling battle for control of the ship, ultimately deposing Bligh and his allies. These and many other questions are answered in great detail in Caroline Alexander's book. The mutiny actually took place fairly peacefully and is really a strange spectacle. The bulk of the book is not concerned directly with the mutiny itself but in the courts-martial drama that follows. Like many today, the only knowledge I had of the mutiny on the Bounty had come in bits and pieces from popular culture. Christian Fletcher's motives remain shrouded in some mystery. Alexander asserts, with good evidence, that it was the lure of Tahiti that ultimately lit the fuse.
Perhaps this can be attributed to the excess of alcohol. I enjoyed being taken back to Tahiti, having read several books of Cook's voyages, and enjoyed reading of the mutiny, the sailors involved, and what eventually happened to the mutineers. It is hard to tell exactly who is innocent and who guilty. If not, then why would his men mutiny. I wish Alexander had spent more time and detail on the open boat voyage and the mysterious malaise that eventually struck several who survived it.
The events that took place on the Bounty are told from multiple, often contradictory standpoints. It amazes me that the mutiny seems to have been put together at the last minute. The scenes on the Pandora were interesting but I think I would have gotten more out of them if they had been placed after the mutiny and I knew the characters better. I really did like the suspense that was built up by not settling the fate of Fletcher until well into the book.
Heywood was brought to court martial with several others and is one of three released. History, done correctly, can be as suspenseful as any fiction and the Mutiny on the Bounty would seem the perfect vessel for it. I grew more curious by the page as to why this was so. Peter Heywood was a sixteen-year-old midshipman on the Bounty - a very minor contributor when juxtaposed with the legendary Fletcher Christian and William Bligh. I won't say this makes The Bounty boring, but it makes it less than it might have been. Mutineers don't become British sea captains.
Thus, the subsequent success that attracts Alexander's attention is due to Heywood's lack of impact on the story.
What followed was an orchestrated family effort to clear his name of any taint.
The Bounty, by Caroline Alexander is well-researched, competently written, but compelling it is not.
Nevertheless, Heywood and his family dominate this book.
Perhaps I was wrong to expect South Pacific swashbuckling and island intrigue, for there was never much of it.
This is where Caroline Alexander takes us and retains us for much of the book.
True, Heywood did go on to a distinguished career as a sea-going captain, but his actual participation in the mutiny was exceedingly modest.
Given the continuous popularity of the story, Alexander had enough information to write a book less focused on Peter Heywood.
4 stars.
Caroline Alexander has produced the definitive account of the mutiny on the Bounty, making what could be a dry history lesson into a true page-turner.My only negative comment is that the maps are nigh illegible on the Kindle. :-(
Ten accused mutineers were eventually captured, and the account of their court-martial is particularly engrossing.The author is scrupulous about presenting all versions of what happened during the mutiny, and she gives an equally gripping narrative of its consequences. Caroline Alexander brilliantly integrates numerous primary and secondary sources into a highly readable narrative of what happened on H.M.S. If you love non-fiction, a fascinating topic, and exceptional writing, this book is for you. However, she is not a disinterested observer, i.e., she has opinions, which she supports with facts. Bounty on April 28, 1789.The reader learns about the men and events leading up to the mutiny, what occurred during the takeover, and the mutiny's aftermath. Of the 45 men serving under William Bligh, the author lists only 19 as having actively participated in the mutiny. For example, she dispels the Hollywood myth that the blame for the mutiny should fall predominately on Bligh's shoulders and that Fletcher Christian had little choice but to overthrow a tyrant.An especially interesting part of the book is the final chapter, which relates what happened later in life to the Bounty's officers and crew. There is also an extensive section on sources and a significant selected bibliography.A fabulous read.
I ended up feeling sympathy for Bligh and just a bit of rage at how he was mistreated. Alexander's writing is clear and supremely interesting.
I had no idea that I'd be swept into one of the most interesting narrative histories I've ever read.Alexander has done her research thoroughly and what I find most astounding is just how much source material she had to work with. I've had this book in my library for years and finally picked it up a month or two ago.
We can all spout what we've 'heard' about the reputation of Captain Bligh, but when the facts are laid bare, the story changes dramatically.I now find myself defending Captain Bligh at every turn and encouraging people to read this fantastic book. I'm new to British Naval history and I was amazed that they'd managed to preserve so many of the pertinent logs and letters.
What was even more astonishing was that the evidence she compiles for this book paints Bligh in such a contrasting light than the rest of the world knows him. She takes the time to explain the naval lingo as well as the ramifications of certain world events and historical context.
You may not be swept along as thoroughly as I was, but I doubt you'll be able to look at this epic true story in the same way again.
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