The Wager
#1213 of 2,654 all-time
The Wager
David Grann
6 people recommended it in 3 threads, 2024–2025.
What people on Hacker News said
If you liked this one as an against the odds shipwreck survival story, David Grann’s The Wager is also very good.
The Wager by David Grann, about a disastrous British maritime voyage in the 18th century that involved shipwreck, surviving castaways, multiple distinct routes back to Britain, then fighting over the story when different parties got back.
Grann's description of the native people of Patagonia, with their healthy varied diet, vigor and cold tolerance, and kindness to clearly-suffering strangers, made a lasting impression.
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: Books about people who did hard things 2025 · 4 recommendations
- Ask HN: Best non-fiction book you read in 2024? 2024 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What's the best book you've read so far in 2024? 2024 · 1 recommendation