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Over the Edge: Magellan's Terrifying Travels

In partnership with:
Cambridge Forum
Date and time
Wednesday, March 24, 2004

Prize-winning biographer Laurence Bergreen discusses his new book, *Over the Edge of the World: Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe.* The historical ramifications of Magellan's daring circumnavigation of the globe are difficult to exaggerate. He set out to accomplish what Columbus never could--reach the East by sailing west. His fleet of five ships traveled over 41,000 miles and was at sea for over a thousand days. During that time they experienced monstrous storms, mutiny, torture, and disease. Magellan himself died halfway through the journey in the tribal Philippines under circumstances possibly orchestrated by his own officers. Drawing on eyewitness accounts and archival materials, Bergreen details the amazing drama of the most famous sea voyage in history.

Laurence_Bergreen.jpg
Laurence Bergreen
Laurence Bergreen is an award-winning biographer, historian, and chronicler of exploration. His books have been translated into over 20 languages worldwide. In October 2007, Alfred A. Knopf published *Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu*, a groundbreaking biography of the iconic traveler. Warner Brothers is developing a feature film based on this book starring Matt Damon and written by William Monahan, who won an Oscar for The Departed. He has written for many national publications including *Esquire*, *Newsweek*, *TV Guide*, *Details*, *Prologue*, *The Chicago Tribune*, and *Military History Quarterly*. He has taught at the New School for Social Research and served as Assistant to the President of the Museum of Television and Radio in New York. In 1995, he served as a judge for the National Book Awards and in 1991 as a judge for the PEN/Albrand Nonfiction Award. A frequent lecturer at major universities and symposiums, he also serves as a Featured Historian for the History Channel. Mr. Bergreen graduated from Harvard University in 1972. He is a member of PEN American Center, The Explorers Club, the Authors Guild, and the board of the New York Society Library. He lives in New York City and is represented by Suzanne Gluck of the William Morris Agency.
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