SKU: 47377305730

Wreckers : Disaster in the Age of Discovery by Simon Park

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Wreckers : Disaster in the Age of Discovery by Simon ParkWreckers sinks the old narratives of imperialism, revealing the violent, chaotic and improvised reality of empire building from the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries.'Clever and compelling book. The storytelling and the scholarship fairly spark off each other. It could be a model for how academics should write history for a general audience' The Timesa flowing, gripping narrative, Wreckers is distinguished by enchanting stories Peter Moore, Literary

Wreckers sinks the old narratives of imperialism, revealing the violent, chaotic and improvised reality of empire-building from the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries.

'Clever and compelling book. The storytelling and the scholarship fairly spark off each other. It could be a model for how academics should write history for a general audience' The Times‘a flowing, gripping narrative, Wreckers is distinguished by enchanting stories’ Peter Moore, Literary Review While figures such as Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan are celebrated for their maritime achievements – reaching the Americas, India, and circumnavigating the globe – focusing solely on these voyages distorts our perspective on the past. Many explorers ended up as castaways, clinging to the splintered timbers of their wrecked ships, while those who survived often faced resistance and ridicule from indigenous communities across the globe.

Drawing on maritime stories from various languages and continents – from Brazil and Southeast Africa to India and the Philippines – Wreckers shares dramatic tales of the sea and the events on land that followed. This offers an alternative timeline for the century after Columbus’ 1492 voyage and sheds light on the fractures and fault lines that accompanied the increasing geographical range of European ships.

Simon Park argues that even when Europeans arrogantly claimed their own superiority, the truth was that they were often driven by a profound sense of greed and envy, and their actions included numerous mishaps. For example, in his hunt for gold, Martin Frobisher – who fancied himself England’s Columbus and Cortés combined – transported worthless rocks across the Atlantic by the tonne. In the search for spices, Captain and profiteer Manuel de Sousa de Sepúlveda’s ship was so overladen, it spewed its fragrant cargo when it crashed off the coast of South Africa. Moreover, in every place they went, Europeans depended on local know-how and goodwill – relying on indigenous knowledge of languages, geography, food and medicines.

Wreckers reveals the precarious balance between imperious European powers, cunning locals who colluded to further their own agendas, and others who showed great tenacity in their resistance to European incursions. By focusing on stories of failure, defiance and comeuppance, Wreckers – a term Park uses to refer both to those who were wrecked and those involved in wrecking – offers a gripping and original account of a tumultuous period. It challenges the notion of unstoppable European dominance and enables a reimagining of history as a space of possibilities then, now and in the future.

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Binding: Hardback,
Pagination: 320 pages
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SKU: 47377305730

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Sigrid Inger
Grantham, US
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Much much better than the standard sock
Size: X-Large, Color: (001) Black / Black / Castlerock
These socks are superb. Lots of padding in the right places, snug where it should be snug & loose where you don't want it to bind. They are marked with an 'L' for left foot, & 'R' for the right foot (it makes a difference in the fit being perfect. They stay up on your heel & don't slide down
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Chris
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 4
4 lefts vs 2 rights
Size: Medium, Color: (001) Black / Black / Castlerock, Size: Medium, Color: (001) Black / Black / Castlerock
I ordered a set of three. I ended up with four left socks and two right socks lol. Granted it doesn’t matter unless you’re OCD. JEEZ. Love the socks but not the attention to detail the sock company did on matching left/right marked socks.
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Jill
Lake Worth, US
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My favorite socks
Size: Medium, Color: (001) Black / Black / Castlerock
I love love, love the left and right socks one has an L one has an R and they fit so well and they’re so comfy for running jogging or walking. They are my favorite socks.
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vbgirlfla
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
Hold up to tough wear - definitely recommend
Size: X-Large, Color: (001) Black / Black / Castlerock
These are my teens favorite socks. We've ordered multiple sets. Given that he tends to wear then as slippers I am really impressed with how they hold up. The extra large size is great for bigger feet. They wash well and I didn't notice any shrinkage, fading or pilling. This set is going to college with him.
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Jana
Houston, US
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Good quality
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To big! I am female size 9 and Amazon was recommending for me size L. Yes, my socks is wearing my boyfriend. I need to buy smaller size
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Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2025

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