What do you think?
Rate this book
Neptune's Fortune: The Billion-Dollar Shipwreck and the Ghosts of the Spanish Empire
The riveting true story of a legendary Spanish galleon that sunk off the coast of Colombia with over $1 billion in gold and silver—and one man’s obsessive quest to find it—from the New York Times bestselling author of Madhouse at the End of the Earth
Roger Dooley wasn’t looking for the San Jose. But an accidental discovery in the dusty stacks of a Spanish archive in the 1980s led him to the story of a lifetime—the journey of a ship that had gathered a mountain of riches from the New World for a long-awaited delivery to the King of Spain nearly three centuries earlier. But that ship, the galleon San Jose, never reached its destination. Instead, the Spanish treasure fleet was drawn into a pitched battle with British ships of war off the coast of Cartagena. When the smoke cleared, the San Jose had disappeared into the ocean.
Though a diver at heart, Dooley was an unlikely candidate to find the San Jose. Half Cuban by birth, he lived a life that stretched from the ballfields of Brooklyn to the shores of Castro’s Havana at the dawn of revolution, where he would help birth a fledgling nation’s diving program and make films with the likes of Jacques Cousteau before finding himself placed on an international watch list and barred from the United States. Dooley had little in the way of serious credentials, yet his tenacity and single-minded devotion to finding the San Jose—led him to breakthroughs once thought impossible. As he jousted with famous treasure hunters and well-funded competitors, Dooley ultimately homed in on a patch of sea that might contain a three-hundred-year-old shipwreck—or nothing at all.
Neptune's Fortune plunges into a rarified world through the eyes of an idiosyncratic protagonist, one whose work would spark the hopes of presidents and make real the dreams of a nation. This tale of temerity and treasure is a one-of-a-kind story of a lost fortune and the decades-long quest to shine a light on the bounty at the bottom of the sea.
Roger Dooley wasn’t looking for the San Jose. But an accidental discovery in the dusty stacks of a Spanish archive in the 1980s led him to the story of a lifetime—the journey of a ship that had gathered a mountain of riches from the New World for a long-awaited delivery to the King of Spain nearly three centuries earlier. But that ship, the galleon San Jose, never reached its destination. Instead, the Spanish treasure fleet was drawn into a pitched battle with British ships of war off the coast of Cartagena. When the smoke cleared, the San Jose had disappeared into the ocean.
Though a diver at heart, Dooley was an unlikely candidate to find the San Jose. Half Cuban by birth, he lived a life that stretched from the ballfields of Brooklyn to the shores of Castro’s Havana at the dawn of revolution, where he would help birth a fledgling nation’s diving program and make films with the likes of Jacques Cousteau before finding himself placed on an international watch list and barred from the United States. Dooley had little in the way of serious credentials, yet his tenacity and single-minded devotion to finding the San Jose—led him to breakthroughs once thought impossible. As he jousted with famous treasure hunters and well-funded competitors, Dooley ultimately homed in on a patch of sea that might contain a three-hundred-year-old shipwreck—or nothing at all.
Neptune's Fortune plunges into a rarified world through the eyes of an idiosyncratic protagonist, one whose work would spark the hopes of presidents and make real the dreams of a nation. This tale of temerity and treasure is a one-of-a-kind story of a lost fortune and the decades-long quest to shine a light on the bounty at the bottom of the sea.
401 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2026
152 people are currently reading
10680 people want to read
About the author
Julian Sancton
6 books305 followersJulian Sancton has written for Vanity Fair, Departures, Esquire, The New Yorker, Wired, and Playboy, among other publications. He spent most of his childhood in France and attended Harvard University, where he studied European history. He lives in Larchmont, New York, with his partner, Jessica, and their two daughters.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 26, 2026
I had high hopes for Julian Sancton's newest, Neptune's Fortune. After all, Madhouse at the End of the Earth is a perfect mixture of claustrophobic horror and perseverance in the age of polar exploration. It was a tight narrative, which left me, a shipwreck addict, supremely satisfied. Of course, seeing that Sancton was taking on a different shipwreck meant I knew what I was going to get all over again. I was psyched.
Instead, Sancton went the complete opposite way. Neptune's Fortune is a story that crosses hundreds of years, tackles international politics, and follows a man who may not be able to be trusted. This isn't Madhouse Part 2. This is completely different and still utterly fantastic. I demand that Sancton never write about anything but shipwrecks. (Please.)
This book is three parts. The first tells the story of how a Spanish galleon, the San José, ends up on the seafloor with over a billion dollars in gold and silver. While this is only the first part of the book, Sancton is not rushing. The battle was so engaging I literally stayed up too late to make sure I finished that part. The second part follows Roger Dooley. Who is Roger Dooley? Probably easier to say what he isn't. Let's just say he is a treasure hunter. For good or bad, well, like everything else about him, it's complicated. The third part follows Dooley as he goes searching for the San Jose.
Literally nothing about this story is simple. Did the San José blow up? Is Dooley a liar or an obsessive genius? Even if the San José is found, who actually owns it? There are so many ways to take this narrative and Sancton always makes the right choice. It's a must-read.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by NetGalley and Crown Publishing.)
Instead, Sancton went the complete opposite way. Neptune's Fortune is a story that crosses hundreds of years, tackles international politics, and follows a man who may not be able to be trusted. This isn't Madhouse Part 2. This is completely different and still utterly fantastic. I demand that Sancton never write about anything but shipwrecks. (Please.)
This book is three parts. The first tells the story of how a Spanish galleon, the San José, ends up on the seafloor with over a billion dollars in gold and silver. While this is only the first part of the book, Sancton is not rushing. The battle was so engaging I literally stayed up too late to make sure I finished that part. The second part follows Roger Dooley. Who is Roger Dooley? Probably easier to say what he isn't. Let's just say he is a treasure hunter. For good or bad, well, like everything else about him, it's complicated. The third part follows Dooley as he goes searching for the San Jose.
Literally nothing about this story is simple. Did the San José blow up? Is Dooley a liar or an obsessive genius? Even if the San José is found, who actually owns it? There are so many ways to take this narrative and Sancton always makes the right choice. It's a must-read.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by NetGalley and Crown Publishing.)
November 1, 2025
A mostly self taught diver and ocean archeologist yearns of finding the big treasure. From his childhood in Cuba to moving to the U.S. Roger Dooley was determined to find the largest Spanish sunken treasure shipwreck in history. The problem is he had to locate it without knowing the general area where it sank, searching for any documents over 300 years ago, then finance it and then put a claim on it before local governments or other treasure seekers could. In superb storytelling Julian Sancton shares Roger Dooley's life and obsession with finding the San Jose as well as the history of Europe's thirst for gold and silver that led to the fateful battle and ship sinking and the early history of deep sea wreck exploration and treasure salvage. The one and a million chance he would find it and the toll it would take. Armchair history buffs, wannabe treasure seekers and curious readers who enjoy a biography of a man who wouldn't give up on his dream. It is an enjoyable and thrilling journey that readers of the Key West Florida treasure hunters, the search for the Titanic and THE WIDE WIDE SEA will enjoy. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
September 17, 2025
"The sea is broad and her paths are many."
I read Sancton's other book, Madhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica's Journey into the Dark Antarctic Night, as part of my deep dive into arctic exploration, and was really pleased with the result. I somehow missed(!) that he has another book coming next month (and will absolutely pick it up soon), but did manage to snag the ARC for this upcoming book of his. I went into it basically blind; I didn't know much about either the San Jose or treasure hunting in general, but I ended up walking away with more treasure hunter knowledge, historical and naval knowledge, and information about the players involved than I expected.
This book covers a lot of ground in its journey to the San Jose. The opening few chapters recounting how and why it sunk in the first place set the stage for later on, but also were interesting in their own right. I thought the different accounts for the lead up to and the actual battle of was a nice touch; you get to experience multiple angles of the incident. After this introduction of sorts, we're thrust into the role of Dooley-watcher, where we're introduced to him first later in life and then from childhood on up in Cuba. I sort of thought the Dooley life chapters were a mixed bag; some were really interesting, and sort of shows how and why Dooley made the choices he made later on, and some felt a bit extraneous and made things feel a bit slow. The treasure hunter asides were universally interesting to me, as was the actual search for the San Jose later on. Lots of neat footnotes are included here, particularly about the preponderance of shells around the wreck site and the connection between them and bones. Nature is metal.
I will say that I sort of expected a bit more about the wreck itself. It felt like by the time it was located, the book was basically over. With what happens later, I guess that's to be expected, but it felt a bit anticlimactic given the title of the book. But as a book about treasure hunting vs. deep sea archaeology, I was very pleased.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I read Sancton's other book, Madhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica's Journey into the Dark Antarctic Night, as part of my deep dive into arctic exploration, and was really pleased with the result. I somehow missed(!) that he has another book coming next month (and will absolutely pick it up soon), but did manage to snag the ARC for this upcoming book of his. I went into it basically blind; I didn't know much about either the San Jose or treasure hunting in general, but I ended up walking away with more treasure hunter knowledge, historical and naval knowledge, and information about the players involved than I expected.
This book covers a lot of ground in its journey to the San Jose. The opening few chapters recounting how and why it sunk in the first place set the stage for later on, but also were interesting in their own right. I thought the different accounts for the lead up to and the actual battle of was a nice touch; you get to experience multiple angles of the incident. After this introduction of sorts, we're thrust into the role of Dooley-watcher, where we're introduced to him first later in life and then from childhood on up in Cuba. I sort of thought the Dooley life chapters were a mixed bag; some were really interesting, and sort of shows how and why Dooley made the choices he made later on, and some felt a bit extraneous and made things feel a bit slow. The treasure hunter asides were universally interesting to me, as was the actual search for the San Jose later on. Lots of neat footnotes are included here, particularly about the preponderance of shells around the wreck site and the connection between them and bones. Nature is metal.
I will say that I sort of expected a bit more about the wreck itself. It felt like by the time it was located, the book was basically over. With what happens later, I guess that's to be expected, but it felt a bit anticlimactic given the title of the book. But as a book about treasure hunting vs. deep sea archaeology, I was very pleased.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC -- this is a tricky one to rate because the first part of the book, featuring the history of the Spanish Armada's routes through the Caribbean as well as the engagement with an English squadron that ultimately sank the San Jose was excellent. Couldn't put it down, great history, and I learned a bunch about Spanish galleons of the period. Once the second part of the book got going, this was firmly a biography of Roger Dooley's life, with the occasional chapter veering into other revelant information, and while some chunks, such as Dooley's adolescent years alongside the early years of Castro's regime in Cuba, were very interesting for how little I knew about the period and region, the in-depth writing on his whole life definitely dragged in places, and unfortunately the lead-up to the discovery of the San Jose wreckage was one of those places. It was a good book, it just didn't seem to hold the momentum throughout. Very much worth reading if you're interested in shipwrecks and undersea archeology!
Review of advance copy
A while back, I read the author’s Madhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica's Journey into the Dark Antarctic Night as part of my sad boat obsession, and absolutely loved it. I had gone into my local indie bookstore, and the owner gave me this ARC to read, knowing how much I enjoyed Sancton’s earlier book. I admit it took me entirely too long to read it, but it was quite the ride!!
The book opens with a discussion of the Spanish empire and from where came the precious metals that European colonizers were obsessed with. It’s insane to think of how much literal treasure was on these ships that were bound back to Europe; everyone on the ships would have huge quantities of contraband that was hidden from the Spanish authorities, so it’s difficult to know exactly how much riches were on each journey. But suffice it to say it was A LOT. Hence why there have been so many treasure hunters wanting to find these shipwrecks as a quick way to become insanely wealthy.
We also see the battle that sunk the San Jose from multiple angles. This gives a really clear picture of what exactly had happened, though for hundreds of years it was unclear exactly where.
Enter Roger Dooley, an American raised in Cuba during the Castro years who found refuge under the sparkly waters of the Caribbean. Though initially he comes across as a little suspect, Sancton shows that Dooley was motivated mostly by the hopes of learning new information from these wrecks. For him, the treasure was secondary. He wasn’t in it to make money, unlike many of the other treasure hunters Sancton profiles. It hurts my heart so much to think of the damage these men did to these historical sites by blowing up the coral and the wrecks in hopes of getting their hands on gold and silver. Knowledge meant nothing to them.
It was also interesting to see how Colombia handled the discovery of the San Juan site, and how it changed depending on who was president. Having one president act out of spite regarding his predecessor is somewhat amusing, though sad at the same time.
I really hope people enjoy this book. I wish I had been able to give it more of my attention, but I am so glad to have read it. Sancton is quickly becoming a must-read author for me.
The book opens with a discussion of the Spanish empire and from where came the precious metals that European colonizers were obsessed with. It’s insane to think of how much literal treasure was on these ships that were bound back to Europe; everyone on the ships would have huge quantities of contraband that was hidden from the Spanish authorities, so it’s difficult to know exactly how much riches were on each journey. But suffice it to say it was A LOT. Hence why there have been so many treasure hunters wanting to find these shipwrecks as a quick way to become insanely wealthy.
We also see the battle that sunk the San Jose from multiple angles. This gives a really clear picture of what exactly had happened, though for hundreds of years it was unclear exactly where.
Enter Roger Dooley, an American raised in Cuba during the Castro years who found refuge under the sparkly waters of the Caribbean. Though initially he comes across as a little suspect, Sancton shows that Dooley was motivated mostly by the hopes of learning new information from these wrecks. For him, the treasure was secondary. He wasn’t in it to make money, unlike many of the other treasure hunters Sancton profiles. It hurts my heart so much to think of the damage these men did to these historical sites by blowing up the coral and the wrecks in hopes of getting their hands on gold and silver. Knowledge meant nothing to them.
It was also interesting to see how Colombia handled the discovery of the San Juan site, and how it changed depending on who was president. Having one president act out of spite regarding his predecessor is somewhat amusing, though sad at the same time.
I really hope people enjoy this book. I wish I had been able to give it more of my attention, but I am so glad to have read it. Sancton is quickly becoming a must-read author for me.
August 29, 2025
This was a fun book, thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As a history buff but not all that familiar with this particular wreck, I found the historical piece interesting and enjoyed reading about the process to find the galleon.
I liked the authors style here, it was very readable and made you want to root for Dooley. Pacing overall was pretty good, and while there was a lot of background on Dooley, it felt about right to paint the picture of who he is and what helped drive him to his fascination.
As a history buff but not all that familiar with this particular wreck, I found the historical piece interesting and enjoyed reading about the process to find the galleon.
I liked the authors style here, it was very readable and made you want to root for Dooley. Pacing overall was pretty good, and while there was a lot of background on Dooley, it felt about right to paint the picture of who he is and what helped drive him to his fascination.
February 7, 2026
Excellent tales of sunken warships , Spanish galleons, sunken with treasure beyond measure. Fascinating stories of the struggles to find explore and exploit the sunken remains
February 4, 2026
An exhaustive (and exhausting) tale of the shipwreck of the Spanish galleon San Jose. Unfortunately the book focuses on the legal minutiae of treasure hunting instead of the actual discovery of an important shipwreck. In hindsight I probably should have expected this.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Neptune's Fortune by Julian Sancton is the real-life adventure of the 18th century Spanish galleon San José crew, the blood-pumping battle with the British, the ship's disappearance off the Colombian coast, and the obsession of a man three hundred years later who was eager to find something no one else had.
American Cuban Roger Dooley's passion for archaeology and diving took him on treasure hunts amidst danger and political tensions. President Fidel Castro had ordered him to pry riches from Cuban shipwrecks. After finding and reading a packet of letters about the San José gold and silver and deaths of those aboard, Dooley knew he had to search for the biggest treasure in the history of humanity, worth more than a billion dollars. His goal was more than the monetary value...the artifacts themselves. But hurdles abounded, including a custody battle between several countries and groups.
The author's experiences with Dooley are amusing and fascinating. I appreciate the explanation of Dooley's childhood (especially his brother), craving for adventures. pursuit of ambitions, history such as the significance of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, and geopolitics. This book is loaded to the gills with nuggets of information. The footnotes are helpful.
Descriptions of jewelry and fingers of gold and silver in the market as well as the all-sensory atmosphere of the foods, livestock, and pests aboard the San José crackled with atmosphere. I could taste the salt cod, hear the livestock, feel the creepy crawlies, and smell the wormy mush. Battles and mutiny abounded.
From beginning to end, this book has everything an adventure lover could wish for! Brilliant research and storytelling to boot.
American Cuban Roger Dooley's passion for archaeology and diving took him on treasure hunts amidst danger and political tensions. President Fidel Castro had ordered him to pry riches from Cuban shipwrecks. After finding and reading a packet of letters about the San José gold and silver and deaths of those aboard, Dooley knew he had to search for the biggest treasure in the history of humanity, worth more than a billion dollars. His goal was more than the monetary value...the artifacts themselves. But hurdles abounded, including a custody battle between several countries and groups.
The author's experiences with Dooley are amusing and fascinating. I appreciate the explanation of Dooley's childhood (especially his brother), craving for adventures. pursuit of ambitions, history such as the significance of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, and geopolitics. This book is loaded to the gills with nuggets of information. The footnotes are helpful.
Descriptions of jewelry and fingers of gold and silver in the market as well as the all-sensory atmosphere of the foods, livestock, and pests aboard the San José crackled with atmosphere. I could taste the salt cod, hear the livestock, feel the creepy crawlies, and smell the wormy mush. Battles and mutiny abounded.
From beginning to end, this book has everything an adventure lover could wish for! Brilliant research and storytelling to boot.
September 27, 2025
Julian Sancton’s Neptune’s Fortune was an absolute pleasure to read. As a huge fan of his first work, I came into this book already knowing that his style of writing and approach to history were exactly what I look for—and this one did not disappoint. It had everything you could ask for in a great work of narrative history: meticulous research, gripping storytelling, and a cast of characters brought vividly to life.
By the end, I found myself deeply invested in the fate of Dooley. His story pulled me in so completely that I was genuinely concerned about how things would turn out for him. Some people live the most fascinating, unpredictable lives, and Dooley is one of those rare figures who seems larger than life yet entirely real. He is an extremely enchanting man, and Sancton captures that energy perfectly.
This is history at its most compelling—an adventure that feels both deeply human and endlessly intriguing. For readers who love history told with heart, drama, and an eye for the extraordinary, Neptune’s Fortune is everything you could hope for.
By the end, I found myself deeply invested in the fate of Dooley. His story pulled me in so completely that I was genuinely concerned about how things would turn out for him. Some people live the most fascinating, unpredictable lives, and Dooley is one of those rare figures who seems larger than life yet entirely real. He is an extremely enchanting man, and Sancton captures that energy perfectly.
This is history at its most compelling—an adventure that feels both deeply human and endlessly intriguing. For readers who love history told with heart, drama, and an eye for the extraordinary, Neptune’s Fortune is everything you could hope for.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I appreciate NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Neptune's Fortune: The Billion-Dollar Shipwreck and the Ghosts of the Spanish Empire by Julian Sancton.
This nonfiction book follows Roger Dooley and his over 50-year search for the Spanish galleon San José, which sank off the coast of Cartagena in 1708 after a battle with the British. While the ship is known for the massive treasure it was believed to carry, the story isn't just about recovering the gold.
Dooley is an interesting man who grew up in Cuba and even had dealings with Castro, adding an unexpected political and historical layer. His passion for shipwrecks lasted more than 50 years, and he was clearly just as interested in the historical significance of the artifacts as he was in their value. An interesting read for anyone who enjoys maritime history and real-life treasure hunts.
This nonfiction book follows Roger Dooley and his over 50-year search for the Spanish galleon San José, which sank off the coast of Cartagena in 1708 after a battle with the British. While the ship is known for the massive treasure it was believed to carry, the story isn't just about recovering the gold.
Dooley is an interesting man who grew up in Cuba and even had dealings with Castro, adding an unexpected political and historical layer. His passion for shipwrecks lasted more than 50 years, and he was clearly just as interested in the historical significance of the artifacts as he was in their value. An interesting read for anyone who enjoys maritime history and real-life treasure hunts.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to @crownspublishing and @netgalley for a copy of this book. Also, thanks to @histerynerdaunited for the recommendation
There is a lot going on in this book and it’s told in three parts. The first part was fun and I liked learning about how the Spanish galleon and all that gold and silver ended up on the sea floor. It was engaging and my interest was peaked. Then we got to part two and were introduced to Roger Dooley. Now Dooley isn’t necessarily a treasure hunter, but he’s not not a treasure hunter because he does go looking for the sunk San Jose. There is so much going on, and while the author did do a good job with the writing I wasn’t as fully engaged in part two as I had hoped. Things did pick up again towards the end, and it ended up being an enjoyable read, it just wasn’t a top read.
There is a lot going on in this book and it’s told in three parts. The first part was fun and I liked learning about how the Spanish galleon and all that gold and silver ended up on the sea floor. It was engaging and my interest was peaked. Then we got to part two and were introduced to Roger Dooley. Now Dooley isn’t necessarily a treasure hunter, but he’s not not a treasure hunter because he does go looking for the sunk San Jose. There is so much going on, and while the author did do a good job with the writing I wasn’t as fully engaged in part two as I had hoped. Things did pick up again towards the end, and it ended up being an enjoyable read, it just wasn’t a top read.
Read
January 28, 2026Happy Publishing Day!
This is one of those books I never would have picked up myself but I am grateful I was given the opportunity to read.
Neptune’s Fortune is about the search of a lifetime, told through the life experiences of Roger Dooley, interspersed with the history of nearly every aspect touched on from the enslavement of Indigenous communities to historical maritime events to the inventions of diving apparatuses that allowed humans to search for lost gold at the bottom of the sea.
I highly recommend this to anyone who has an ounce of curiosity in them. It is well researched and Sancton’s writing flows in a way you sometimes forget he’s relaying history not just a fantastical tale.
Will update rating once I complete Part IV.
Thank you to Crown Publishing for this ARC.
#GoodreadsGiveaway
This is one of those books I never would have picked up myself but I am grateful I was given the opportunity to read.
Neptune’s Fortune is about the search of a lifetime, told through the life experiences of Roger Dooley, interspersed with the history of nearly every aspect touched on from the enslavement of Indigenous communities to historical maritime events to the inventions of diving apparatuses that allowed humans to search for lost gold at the bottom of the sea.
I highly recommend this to anyone who has an ounce of curiosity in them. It is well researched and Sancton’s writing flows in a way you sometimes forget he’s relaying history not just a fantastical tale.
Will update rating once I complete Part IV.
Thank you to Crown Publishing for this ARC.
#GoodreadsGiveaway
February 11, 2026
Book #4 of 2026
By now you probably know I love books about ships, shipwrecks, high seas exploration, buried treasures, etc and this author’s debut novel, ‘Madhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica’s Journey into the Dark Antarctic Night’, is among my favorites!
Julian Sancton’s sophomore effort, while not quite as bone-chilling as his first (see what I did there…), is a superbly researched and fascinating book about one man’s obsession with finding and excavating the legendary Spanish galleon known as the San Josê. The ship sunk off the coast of Colombia over 300 years ago when it was attacked by an English warship whose captain and crew sought to steal approximately $1 Billion worth of gold and silver believed to be aboard the San José and en route to the Spanish king.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and learned quite a bit about European colonialism along the way.
By now you probably know I love books about ships, shipwrecks, high seas exploration, buried treasures, etc and this author’s debut novel, ‘Madhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica’s Journey into the Dark Antarctic Night’, is among my favorites!
Julian Sancton’s sophomore effort, while not quite as bone-chilling as his first (see what I did there…), is a superbly researched and fascinating book about one man’s obsession with finding and excavating the legendary Spanish galleon known as the San Josê. The ship sunk off the coast of Colombia over 300 years ago when it was attacked by an English warship whose captain and crew sought to steal approximately $1 Billion worth of gold and silver believed to be aboard the San José and en route to the Spanish king.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and learned quite a bit about European colonialism along the way.
January 29, 2026
This book tracks Roger Dooley, a half-Cuban diver who spent 40+ years hunting for the San Jose a Spanish galleon that sank off Colombia in 1708 with over a billion dollars in treasure.
Dooley is a wild character. Brooklyn kid who ended up in Castro's Cuba, worked with Cousteau, got put on a watch list, couldn't return to the U.S. His obsession with this wreck borders on madness, and Sancton captures it perfectly.
The historical sections on the original battle and the Spanish treasure fleet system are fascinating. The modern parts with competing treasure hunters drag slightly in comparison, but overall this is a great read. BTW, it is a complete puzzle to me how anyone rated this 3 stars let alone 1 or 2. The fact they didn't leave actual reviews is telling.
Dooley is a wild character. Brooklyn kid who ended up in Castro's Cuba, worked with Cousteau, got put on a watch list, couldn't return to the U.S. His obsession with this wreck borders on madness, and Sancton captures it perfectly.
The historical sections on the original battle and the Spanish treasure fleet system are fascinating. The modern parts with competing treasure hunters drag slightly in comparison, but overall this is a great read. BTW, it is a complete puzzle to me how anyone rated this 3 stars let alone 1 or 2. The fact they didn't leave actual reviews is telling.
January 30, 2026
Sancton delivers a splendid, multi-faceted history: The reader learns about the history of shipbuilding, the age of imperialism, Castro's Cuba, what it means to be a pirate versus an archeologist when it comes to shipwrecks, and the politics around who owns what stretch of ocean. This was a truly fascinating tale from start to finish. I appreciated the way Sancton moved from one place to the next--organizing this kind of wides-weeping history requires an expert storyteller. I look forward to making it available to my high school students.
Many thanks to Crown Publishing and NetGalley for access to the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Many thanks to Crown Publishing and NetGalley for access to the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I think I may have officially read too many books of this type, or types -- books about treasure hunting, disasters at sea, and just generally, boats. This one is perfectly serviceable -- though not as vivid as Sancton's Madhouse at the End of the Earth -- but will likely prove a better read for someone closer to the beginning of their "boats! boats! boats!" journey.
February 4, 2026
I really loved this book! It is written in an almost conversational style, and gives background on the Spanish sailing ships from South America to Europe, as well as the English ships that patrolled that area, and even though the book focuses on the fate of one Spanish ship, the primary character that in the book is someone who has been in love with the idea of finding that ship for a good part of his life. I knew none of this before reading this book, and after reading it, I want to know more. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This extremely engaging history is about the sinking of the San Jose and its fortunes that lay undiscovered on the ocean floor for over 300 years. It deals well in the importance of archaeological integrity, treasure hunters, even has parts about the Cold War as the main protagonist Rodger Dooley is an American born Cuban with an obsession on this ship long lost to history. So many fantastic elements and I highly recommend you grab your copy upon its release later this month.
February 12, 2026
This was such a fascinating read. I came for the lost treasure story, but stayed for the obsession, rivalry, and history behind it. The San José’s sinking is dramatic enough on its own, but Roger Dooley’s decades-long pursuit adds so much depth. It’s part history lesson, part adventure story, and part character study. I didn’t expect to get so invested, but I really did
January 30, 2026
Interesting read. The debate who has claim to the found wealth is a good discussion topic. Book does seem to lean to the finders. The twist on history knowing who most likely wrote down their side and who didn't is worth noting. Overall good book and would recommend.
February 10, 2026
Sancton really surprised me with NEPTUNE’S FORTUNE, out now. Thank you @crown for my early finished print and audio copies. I loved going back and forth between the print version and the audio as needed.
I love a good historical text that includes images following the storyline, and this one delivers images!
The text follows Roger Dooley’s journey through decades of treasure searching spanning the world from the US to Cuba to Spain and beyond. What could have been perhaps a dry timeline turns into a page-turning “what’s going to happen next??” description of Dooley’s life, and the rise and fall of his popularity- all the time searching for sunken ships!
If you enjoy reading about treasure hunts, finding sunken ships, the drama of “who owns what” and even throwbacks to Mel Fisher you will likely enjoy this text!
I love a good historical text that includes images following the storyline, and this one delivers images!
The text follows Roger Dooley’s journey through decades of treasure searching spanning the world from the US to Cuba to Spain and beyond. What could have been perhaps a dry timeline turns into a page-turning “what’s going to happen next??” description of Dooley’s life, and the rise and fall of his popularity- all the time searching for sunken ships!
If you enjoy reading about treasure hunts, finding sunken ships, the drama of “who owns what” and even throwbacks to Mel Fisher you will likely enjoy this text!
February 10, 2026
Well written, well researched, and entirely captivating - I especially love how Sancton tells the story from so many angles, even going back in time to shed light on the context in which the San Jose sailed.
October 2, 2025
Great book, everything I love to read about, history, shipwrecks, and we even got some Cuban American history. Enjoyed being reminded of the Atocha and Tommy Thompson also
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Test
Review of advance copy received from Author
Test
January 30, 2026
I didn’t like this as much as his Madhouse at the End of the Earth. But it had its compelling moments and some fascinating history.
Read
February 2, 2026the best
February 3, 2026
4.5 stars.
February 3, 2026
4.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews