This is a harrowing tale of survival in the remote South Atlantic. It all started in early 1812, with the "Nanina" and her captain, Charles Barnard left New York. The plan was to go sealing in the Falkland Islands and sell the skins for a worthy profit in Guangzhou, all while dodging a war between the United States and Great Britain! After the Americans settle in, unbeknownst to them, the brig "Isabella" has beached nearby. It was carrying former penal-colony prisoners back home to England. After a dramatic encounter, an agreement is reached and Charles offers to take the passengers home. To guarantee enough supplies, Charles goes out with a hunting party to replenish. Upon their return the Nanina is gone. War had successfully snuck into the Falklands and the Nanina and its defenseless passengers had been captured as a prize...

First of all, I devoured this book in two days. I had never heard this tale of survival before, and I'm glad for that. I couldn't put the book down! How Charles and his crew mates ever managed to survive at the bottom of the world is nothing short of a miracle. Someone of lesser skill probably would've focused solely on Charles, relying heavily on his published account, but Dolin understands that each person (and animal) had an important role to play in this saga. There's a perfect balance between the castaways' storyline and that of the captured escapees. Dolin also provides enough of the ongoing war for context, without ruining the pacing of the story. After all, being a prisoner of war in many ways is worse. Out of the pan and into the fire. There were so many chances for failure and yet hope remained and justice prevailed. I strongly recommend this one! ( )