The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• How does David Grann’s background as a journalist influence his approach to telling this historical tale? What techniques does he employ to make distant historical events feel immediate and engaging?
• The book opens with the dramatic arrival of emaciated survivors in Brazil. How does this opening shape your expectations for the rest of the narrative? Did the rest of the work bear out those expectations?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Have you ever been part of a group under extreme stress? How did the experience affect group dynamics and leadership? What parallels do you see with the survivors’ situation?
• Which individual’s choices resonated most strongly with you? If you had been in their position, would you have sided with Captain Cheap or joined Bulkeley’s mutiny?
• The survivors relied heavily on Indigenous peoples for their survival yet often maintained prejudices against them. Have you encountered situations where people simultaneously depended on and discriminated against others?
• The book raises questions about memory and truth-telling. Think about a significant event you’ve experienced. How has your memory or interpretation of it changed over time?

3. Societal and Cultural