
audiobook
Set against the age‑old quest for a western route to the Spice Islands, this lively retelling follows a young Portuguese nobleman who dares to sail into unknown seas. With a blend of historical fact and vivid storytelling, the narrative captures Magellan’s steadfast faith, his daring leadership, and the early challenges of his fleet as they navigate treacherous straits and encounter the towering giants of Patagonia. The opening chapters trace his royal commission, the preparation of his ships, and the first taste of adventure that would change the map of the world.
Interwoven with the voyage are colorful sketches that bring the distant lands and their peoples to life, especially the archipelago that would later become the Philippines. Readers get a glimpse of the first contacts between European sailors and island communities, described with a tone that feels both scholarly and accessible for younger ears. The book offers a concise, picture‑rich introduction to an explorer whose legacy still echoes in modern history.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (289K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Charlene Taylor, Eric Skeet, Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was made using scans of public domain works from the University of Michigan Digital Libraries.)
Release date
2011-10-21
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1839–1905
A 19th-century writer and editor with a gift for turning history, travel, and faith into lively reading for young people. Best known for his long connection with The Youth's Companion, he wrote widely and traveled often, bringing a broad view of the world to his books and poems.
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