The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From the author of Killers of the Flower Moon, comes a gripping tale of shipwreck, survival, and betrayal. The story revolves around the wreck of His Majesty’s Ship the Wager in 1742 and the ensuing court martial that unveils a shocking truth about empire.

A Best Book of the Year: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, TIME, Smithsonian, NPR, Vulture, Kirkus Reviews

“Riveting...Reads like a thriller, tackling a multilayered history—and imperialism—with gusto.” —Time

"A tour de force of narrative nonfiction.” —The Wall Street Journal

The ship, a British vessel on a secret mission during an imperial war with Spain, wrecked off the coast of Patagonia. Survivors, marooned for months, built a flimsy craft and sailed for over 3,000 miles. Greeted as heroes upon their arrival, their tale soon took a dark turn when another group of castaways landed in Chile, accusing them of mutiny. The ensuing court martial exposed a tale of anarchy, tyranny, and murder on the island, where warring factions fought for control. The stakes were high—guilty verdicts meant death by hanging.

The Wager is a compelling narrative of human behavior under extreme conditions, offering a gripping account of survival and betrayal that rivals classic tales of adventure and courtroom drama.