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The Bounty Trilogy #2
Men Against the Sea
Unsurpassed as a gripping tale of historical adventure, Men Against the Sea is the epic account of the eighteen loyal men set adrift on the high seas after the mutiny on the Bounty .
With Captain Bligh at the helm of a 23-foot open launch, the loyal sailors are alone on uncharted waters, struggling to survive on scant rations and taking pains to avoid war canoes and inhabited islands under cover of night. Their 3,600-mile voyage from the island of Tofoa in the Friendly Archipelago to the Dutch East Indies remains to this day one of the greatest feats of courage and endurance in maritime history.
"Splendid...Nordhoff and Hall have done a magnificent job in narrative Captain Bligh's remarkable feat." -- Chicago Tribune
With Captain Bligh at the helm of a 23-foot open launch, the loyal sailors are alone on uncharted waters, struggling to survive on scant rations and taking pains to avoid war canoes and inhabited islands under cover of night. Their 3,600-mile voyage from the island of Tofoa in the Friendly Archipelago to the Dutch East Indies remains to this day one of the greatest feats of courage and endurance in maritime history.
"Splendid...Nordhoff and Hall have done a magnificent job in narrative Captain Bligh's remarkable feat." -- Chicago Tribune
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1933
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About the author
Charles Bernard Nordhoff
79 books53 followers This describes the 20th century novelist, most famous for Mutiny on the Bounty. For the 19th century journalist and author, see Charles Nordhoff.
Charles Bernard Nordhoff was an English-born American novelist and traveler.
Charles Bernard Nordhoff was an English-born American novelist and traveler.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
December 13, 2022
One of the best survival stories out there and if you want to read a book that's going to make you feel like your starving and dying of thirst this is it!
January 29, 2025
A fascinating (fictional but based on fact) look at what happens after Captain Bligh and a crew of 18 men were set afloat in a “launch boat” only 23 feet long and just under 7 feet wide. Captain Bligh navigates the group 3,600 miles in this little boat in 1789 in less than 6 weeks. They suffer the extremes of weather, starvation, and unfriendly island inhabitants at stops along the way.
Most interesting is to see Captain Bligh “in his element” as the crew (taken from historical documents), states that he was the only man who could have possibly gotten them through.
It suffers a bit as the “middle story” of the trilogy, with endless days at sea, however the whole tale of the Bounty would not be complete without it.
Note: I read Men Against the Sea as part of The Bounty Trilogy binding of three books in one.
- Desiree Reads
The Bookish Birder
January 29, 2025
https://bookshop.org/shop/TheBookishB...
Most interesting is to see Captain Bligh “in his element” as the crew (taken from historical documents), states that he was the only man who could have possibly gotten them through.
It suffers a bit as the “middle story” of the trilogy, with endless days at sea, however the whole tale of the Bounty would not be complete without it.
Note: I read Men Against the Sea as part of The Bounty Trilogy binding of three books in one.
- Desiree Reads
The Bookish Birder
January 29, 2025
https://bookshop.org/shop/TheBookishB...
August 10, 2012
Captain Bligh is my hero. I know: you’re likely reading that statement and assuming that I’ve gone off the deep end. Captain Bligh, a hero?! But I’m not alone in saying that.
So says Thomas Ledward, Acting Surgeon of HMS Bounty and the other loyal seamen put off the Bounty by the mutineers, when they took control of the ship on 28 April 1789. While the mutineers had enough scruples not to execute Bligh and those who remained loyal to him, the only alternative they had was to set them adrift in the ship’s launch, designed to hold about a half dozen men for short trips.
Cast away in the middle of the sea, Bligh and those who went with him (18 altogether) in the launch, had little in the way of food or equipment. It was quite unlikely any would survive for long.
For those of you who have read Charles Nordhoff and James Hall’s Mutiny on the Bounty, you already know that Bligh and company did make it to Timor in the Dutch East Indies. Bligh then made it back to England to be part of the trial of those mutineers (and some who did not mutiny) who remained in Tahiti and were picked up there. What Mutiny does not tell is the pretty amazing story of Bligh’s bringing that launch to a place over 3,000 miles from where he and the loyal crewmen were set adrift.
The second novel in Nordhoff and Hall’s Bounty Trilogy, Men Against the Sea, tells that story. With so many factors against him, Bligh shows tremendous seamanship, leadership and sangfroid and gets the launch and its crew to safety. It’s a task judged near impossible, and which earns him the undying respect of his mates on the launch, even those, like the surly carpenter, Purcell, who felt Bligh deserved to lose the Bounty.
Purcell is an interesting character – loyal to his captain, he doesn’t like Bligh much, and only begins to respect him after Bligh challenges him to a fight. Dr. Ledward concludes that it was Bligh alone that made the impossible possible.
Each of the novels in the Bounty Trilogy is told from a particular viewpoint. Mutiny on the Bounty is told from the perspective of young Roger Byam, a midshipman befriended by Fletcher Christian, the mutinous first mate. Byam is not part of the mutiny, but is assumed to be so, and so is put on trial.
Using him as the point of observation, the authors can give us a view of the mutiny from a sympathetic character who did not actually commit treason.
The third book, Pitcairn’s Island, tells the story of those mutineers who traveled to the titular island to hide out (successfully) from the English Navy. The story, told years later by the able seaman Alexander Smith, is not a happy tale. Smith is the only surviving mutineer, and the only one who can tell the whole story of how things went terribly wrong on Pitcairn’s Island.
The second book, Men Against the Sea – in which William Bligh plays such an heroic part – is told by the acting surgeon of the Bounty, Thomas Ledward. By having Ledward tell the story, we are able to view Bligh in a way that would prove impossible had Bligh been the narrator.
Bligh’s log was available to Nordhoff and Hall, who used it in writing the first two novels. But Nordhoff and Hall wisely choose Ledward as the narrator. As the medical officer, he can comment most knowledgably on the physical and mental strains put on the crew. As a sympathetic observer, he can also note Bligh’s calm in the midst of bad weather, and reassuring regularity of habits, as well as notice Bligh’s temper – a characteristic that may have led to the mutiny. Even to the observant doctor, though, Bligh remains somewhat Sphinxlike, a quality fitting in a commander, something that could not be maintained if Bligh were the narrator.
From the Wyeth edition of MenIt is the second book that I find the most compelling and interesting. Having read Mutiny (and seen 2 film versions), I was quite prepared to believe Bligh a monstrous martinet who provoked most of his crew to mutiny.
Years ago, a friend of mine suggested I read Men Against the Sea, and I found it eye-opening. It managed to take a figure who was hated with some justification in the first book, and whom I was quite willing to believe a monster, and made him quite the heroic figure.
In a crisis (and the two months aboard the launch were one crisis after another), Bligh was exactly the kind of commander you wanted – able to remain calm, take decisive action and command respect from friend and foe alike. When they make landfall at Tofoa only a few days after the mutiny, they encounter hostile natives, but manage to escape with only one casualty, Norton, one of the quartermasters.
For much of the remaining voyage – about 3,000 mi. in an open boat – they avoid landing, for they cannot count on friendly natives. Using the knowledge he gained as assistant to Captain Cook, and from various charts that he studied while aboard the Bounty, with only a sextant, a magnifying glass and a piece of wood to mark ship speed, Bligh manages to get the remaining men safely to Timor in the Dutch East Indies.
The scant food and water supply have to be parceled out carefully, something that requires a man used to making tough decisions. Where he had often seemed rather aloof and abrupt with the men upon the Bounty, he is careful to treat his fellow castaways with more consideration, consulting with them when appropriate before taking actions.
And any tough decisions he takes affect him as much as the men. When we think about the fact that Bligh was in his mid-thirties, and that the Bounty was his first command, his achievement is all the more remarkable (and the troubles he had on the Bounty more understandable – check out Caroline Alexander’s The Bounty: the True Story of the Mutiny on the Bounty for a more sympathetic treatment of Bligh aboard the Bounty).
And so, I raise my cup of grog high to Bligh and say, “O Captain, my captain!”
So says Thomas Ledward, Acting Surgeon of HMS Bounty and the other loyal seamen put off the Bounty by the mutineers, when they took control of the ship on 28 April 1789. While the mutineers had enough scruples not to execute Bligh and those who remained loyal to him, the only alternative they had was to set them adrift in the ship’s launch, designed to hold about a half dozen men for short trips.
Cast away in the middle of the sea, Bligh and those who went with him (18 altogether) in the launch, had little in the way of food or equipment. It was quite unlikely any would survive for long.
For those of you who have read Charles Nordhoff and James Hall’s Mutiny on the Bounty, you already know that Bligh and company did make it to Timor in the Dutch East Indies. Bligh then made it back to England to be part of the trial of those mutineers (and some who did not mutiny) who remained in Tahiti and were picked up there. What Mutiny does not tell is the pretty amazing story of Bligh’s bringing that launch to a place over 3,000 miles from where he and the loyal crewmen were set adrift.
The second novel in Nordhoff and Hall’s Bounty Trilogy, Men Against the Sea, tells that story. With so many factors against him, Bligh shows tremendous seamanship, leadership and sangfroid and gets the launch and its crew to safety. It’s a task judged near impossible, and which earns him the undying respect of his mates on the launch, even those, like the surly carpenter, Purcell, who felt Bligh deserved to lose the Bounty.
Purcell is an interesting character – loyal to his captain, he doesn’t like Bligh much, and only begins to respect him after Bligh challenges him to a fight. Dr. Ledward concludes that it was Bligh alone that made the impossible possible.
Each of the novels in the Bounty Trilogy is told from a particular viewpoint. Mutiny on the Bounty is told from the perspective of young Roger Byam, a midshipman befriended by Fletcher Christian, the mutinous first mate. Byam is not part of the mutiny, but is assumed to be so, and so is put on trial.
Using him as the point of observation, the authors can give us a view of the mutiny from a sympathetic character who did not actually commit treason.
The third book, Pitcairn’s Island, tells the story of those mutineers who traveled to the titular island to hide out (successfully) from the English Navy. The story, told years later by the able seaman Alexander Smith, is not a happy tale. Smith is the only surviving mutineer, and the only one who can tell the whole story of how things went terribly wrong on Pitcairn’s Island.
The second book, Men Against the Sea – in which William Bligh plays such an heroic part – is told by the acting surgeon of the Bounty, Thomas Ledward. By having Ledward tell the story, we are able to view Bligh in a way that would prove impossible had Bligh been the narrator.
Bligh’s log was available to Nordhoff and Hall, who used it in writing the first two novels. But Nordhoff and Hall wisely choose Ledward as the narrator. As the medical officer, he can comment most knowledgably on the physical and mental strains put on the crew. As a sympathetic observer, he can also note Bligh’s calm in the midst of bad weather, and reassuring regularity of habits, as well as notice Bligh’s temper – a characteristic that may have led to the mutiny. Even to the observant doctor, though, Bligh remains somewhat Sphinxlike, a quality fitting in a commander, something that could not be maintained if Bligh were the narrator.
From the Wyeth edition of MenIt is the second book that I find the most compelling and interesting. Having read Mutiny (and seen 2 film versions), I was quite prepared to believe Bligh a monstrous martinet who provoked most of his crew to mutiny.
Years ago, a friend of mine suggested I read Men Against the Sea, and I found it eye-opening. It managed to take a figure who was hated with some justification in the first book, and whom I was quite willing to believe a monster, and made him quite the heroic figure.
In a crisis (and the two months aboard the launch were one crisis after another), Bligh was exactly the kind of commander you wanted – able to remain calm, take decisive action and command respect from friend and foe alike. When they make landfall at Tofoa only a few days after the mutiny, they encounter hostile natives, but manage to escape with only one casualty, Norton, one of the quartermasters.
For much of the remaining voyage – about 3,000 mi. in an open boat – they avoid landing, for they cannot count on friendly natives. Using the knowledge he gained as assistant to Captain Cook, and from various charts that he studied while aboard the Bounty, with only a sextant, a magnifying glass and a piece of wood to mark ship speed, Bligh manages to get the remaining men safely to Timor in the Dutch East Indies.
The scant food and water supply have to be parceled out carefully, something that requires a man used to making tough decisions. Where he had often seemed rather aloof and abrupt with the men upon the Bounty, he is careful to treat his fellow castaways with more consideration, consulting with them when appropriate before taking actions.
And any tough decisions he takes affect him as much as the men. When we think about the fact that Bligh was in his mid-thirties, and that the Bounty was his first command, his achievement is all the more remarkable (and the troubles he had on the Bounty more understandable – check out Caroline Alexander’s The Bounty: the True Story of the Mutiny on the Bounty for a more sympathetic treatment of Bligh aboard the Bounty).
And so, I raise my cup of grog high to Bligh and say, “O Captain, my captain!”
March 8, 2014
In this, the second installment of the Bounty trilogy, the jettisoned crew of Captain Bligh's 23 foot launch travels 3600 miles from the island of Tofoa to the Dutch colony of Timor. This novel is based on a true story of Captain Bligh's miracle, whereby he saved the lives of 18 of the 19 men who were marooned with him on the little launch to fend for themselves in the vastness of the South Pacific.
Honestly, I enjoyed the "Mutiny on the Bounty" better, but "Mutiny" had it all - adventure, the interaction of cultures, and the legal drama of the mutiny trial. In contrast, "Men against the Sea" is a grinding tale of hardship. The men on this little launch suffered through days of privations, barely enough food to survive, storms, cold, heat, murderous natives and their own arguements and struggles. The Captain Bligh character did a 180 degree turn in this novel. No longer the petty, tyrannical and thieving officer that he was in "Mutiny", in "Men" he is a selfless, courageous and inspirational leader. There were just enough references in "Men" to the mutiny to remind the reader of Bligh's shortcoming, but other than that, you would not know that this is the same man. It is quite interesting.
Although "Men against the Sea" is not as good as "Mutiny on the Bounty", it is a riveting story of survival at sea. I would recommend it to anyone, particularly to anyone who loves a good sea story, and anyone who enjoyed the "Mutiny on the Bounty".
Honestly, I enjoyed the "Mutiny on the Bounty" better, but "Mutiny" had it all - adventure, the interaction of cultures, and the legal drama of the mutiny trial. In contrast, "Men against the Sea" is a grinding tale of hardship. The men on this little launch suffered through days of privations, barely enough food to survive, storms, cold, heat, murderous natives and their own arguements and struggles. The Captain Bligh character did a 180 degree turn in this novel. No longer the petty, tyrannical and thieving officer that he was in "Mutiny", in "Men" he is a selfless, courageous and inspirational leader. There were just enough references in "Men" to the mutiny to remind the reader of Bligh's shortcoming, but other than that, you would not know that this is the same man. It is quite interesting.
Although "Men against the Sea" is not as good as "Mutiny on the Bounty", it is a riveting story of survival at sea. I would recommend it to anyone, particularly to anyone who loves a good sea story, and anyone who enjoyed the "Mutiny on the Bounty".
March 5, 2017
The thing is that its based on a true story! About seven thousand kilometers, in an open boat! Captain Bligh, I wish I could be like you.
One thing I saw here again. People tend to break down and show their utmost character during survivals, thus you can know them. Always interesting.
One thing I saw here again. People tend to break down and show their utmost character during survivals, thus you can know them. Always interesting.
March 19, 2022
Men Against the Sea is the sequel to Mutiny on the Bounty. This book is what happens to Captain Bligh and the others with him on their miraculous journey from the Friendly Islands to Timor. As much as I really (really) detested Bligh in Munity, there is no denying his nautical skills, and by the end of this one, I had to give him my begrudged respect!
June 18, 2020
প্রথম বই টার মতোই দুর্দান্ত...
October 18, 2019
এই বইটা নিয়ে কথা বলার আগে একটা টিভি সিরিজ নিয়ে কথা বলি। The Walking Dead. শুরুটা হয় অন্য আর সব জোম্বি অ্যাপোক্যালিপ্স নিয়ে। শুরুতে আমি চিন্তা করতাম কখন এই জোম্বিগুলো শেষ হবে আর ওরা সুখে সান্তিতে বসবাস করা শুরু করবে। কিন্তু ধীরে ধীরে বুঝতে পারলাম আমার আশায় গুড়ে বালি। এই যন্ত্রণা শেষ হবে না। জীবন হাতে নিয়েই ওদের প্রতিটা দিন বাচতে হবে৷ এমন একটা সময় আলিফ আমাকে জিজ্ঞেস করল এরকম পরিস্থিতিতে তুমি কি করতা? সত্য লুকানোর কোন চেষ্টা না করেই বললাম, আমি তো ডিপ্রেশনেই মারা যেতাম!
এই বইটাতেও একি রকম অনুভূতি হল। বাউন্টি নামক এক জাহাজে বিদ্রোহ করে জাহাজের ক্যাপ্টেন সহ ১৯ জন মানুষকে ছোট্ট একটা লঞ্চে সামান্য কিছু খাবার দিয়ে তাড়িয়ে দেয়া হয়। এই পরিস্থিতিতে তাদের বেচে ফেরা অনেকটাই অসম্ভব ছিল। কিন্তু ওইযে একটু খানি যে সম্ভাবনা ছিল ওটা নিয়েই তারা রওনা হয়। সামনে বিশাল সমুদ্র, সামুদ্রক ঝড়, খাবারে স্বাল্পতা, পানির স্বল্পতা এই সব কিছু সাথে নিয়ে ওই ছোট্ট লঞ্চে কি অস্বাভাবিক কষ্ট সহ্য করে লোকগুলো সাগর পাড়ি দেয় পুরোটা হা করে খালি পড়ে গেলাম! এখানেও আমি দিনের পর দিন সাগরের দিকে তাকিয়ে থেকে সেই 'ডিপ্রেশনেই মরে যেতাম!
কিন্তু ওরা মরেনি। ওরা শেষ পর্যন্ত লড়াই করেছে। সিরিজেও বইটাতেও। এই দুইটা জিনিস দেখে ও পড়ে আমার নিজের শারীরিক ও মানসিক অক্ষমতা নিজের কাছে খুব প্রকট ভাবে ধরা পড়েছে। দুনিয়াতে কিছু মানুষ থাকে 'এর শেষ কি দেখে ছাড়ব টাইপ। খুব খারাপ লাগে আমি ওই দলভূ��্ত হতে পারিনাই দেখে। খুব ইচ্ছা হয় যদিও।
এই বইটাতেও একি রকম অনুভূতি হল। বাউন্টি নামক এক জাহাজে বিদ্রোহ করে জাহাজের ক্যাপ্টেন সহ ১৯ জন মানুষকে ছোট্ট একটা লঞ্চে সামান্য কিছু খাবার দিয়ে তাড়িয়ে দেয়া হয়। এই পরিস্থিতিতে তাদের বেচে ফেরা অনেকটাই অসম্ভব ছিল। কিন্তু ওইযে একটু খানি যে সম্ভাবনা ছিল ওটা নিয়েই তারা রওনা হয়। সামনে বিশাল সমুদ্র, সামুদ্রক ঝড়, খাবারে স্বাল্পতা, পানির স্বল্পতা এই সব কিছু সাথে নিয়ে ওই ছোট্ট লঞ্চে কি অস্বাভাবিক কষ্ট সহ্য করে লোকগুলো সাগর পাড়ি দেয় পুরোটা হা করে খালি পড়ে গেলাম! এখানেও আমি দিনের পর দিন সাগরের দিকে তাকিয়ে থেকে সেই 'ডিপ্রেশনেই মরে যেতাম!
কিন্তু ওরা মরেনি। ওরা শেষ পর্যন্ত লড়াই করেছে। সিরিজেও বইটাতেও। এই দুইটা জিনিস দেখে ও পড়ে আমার নিজের শারীরিক ও মানসিক অক্ষমতা নিজের কাছে খুব প্রকট ভাবে ধরা পড়েছে। দুনিয়াতে কিছু মানুষ থাকে 'এর শেষ কি দেখে ছাড়ব টাইপ। খুব খারাপ লাগে আমি ওই দলভূ��্ত হতে পারিনাই দেখে। খুব ইচ্ছা হয় যদিও।
May 3, 2013
though took a little time to finish it but it's fact that captain Bligh is one of the greatest inspirational characters I have ever met while reading books. Awesome classic and yes indeed this is Mr. Captain Bligh has got an awesome personality. The days in sea is the perfect reminder for all , the perfect adventure and struggle.
April 30, 2021
I actually love the first book most but this second part is very much interesting regards to understand the Captain's character, reasons behind his behaviours and decisions. We really get to see his character growth through this book and it indeed gives us some answers. Imagine the sailors' hurdles, fear, fight is really hard as this book is inspired by true events but surely a delight to read.
January 11, 2022
There was a large time gap between reading the first and the second book. I loved this second one too. Just ordered the third and will hopefully read it sooner than later. I never would have chosen these books, but it was a book club selection years ago and I'm so glad to have discovered it. It really is amazing what the human body can withstand.
May 6, 2021
এক মাস ছয় দিন লেগেছে।সেবার অনুবাদগুলো বোরিং লাগে একঘেয়ে বর্ণনার জন্য।তবুও ভালোই লেগেছে শেষ পর্যন্ত।
March 13, 2022
Another well-written, fast-paced installment in the series! These stories still hold up.
June 24, 2025
I would give it 4 1/2 stars. Very very good story good sequel to mutiny on the bounty and I’m looking forward to reading the third installment about those who landed on Pitcarin Island.
June 10, 2024
Am doing a composite review of all three titles in "The Bounty Trilogy."
It's been years since I saw a "Mutiny of the Bounty" film (have seen the `1930s and the 1960s versions) so can't remember how much of the three books those films cover. But reading all three books in sequence is a nice package. The first one (Mutiny on the Bounty) and the second, Men Against The Sea, are great fast-moving tales with good characterization and lots of believable details. They are "show me" books. The third, Pitcairn Island, is a bit of a soap opera . . . less action and more "domestic" intrigue and detail -- more of a "tell me" book. However, on further reflection I liked Pitcairn Island more after-the-fact than I did at the time of reading. Still, it's not as well-crafted as the first two parts of the trilogy.
It's been years since I saw a "Mutiny of the Bounty" film (have seen the `1930s and the 1960s versions) so can't remember how much of the three books those films cover. But reading all three books in sequence is a nice package. The first one (Mutiny on the Bounty) and the second, Men Against The Sea, are great fast-moving tales with good characterization and lots of believable details. They are "show me" books. The third, Pitcairn Island, is a bit of a soap opera . . . less action and more "domestic" intrigue and detail -- more of a "tell me" book. However, on further reflection I liked Pitcairn Island more after-the-fact than I did at the time of reading. Still, it's not as well-crafted as the first two parts of the trilogy.
June 25, 2018
This book continues the story of mutiny aboard the British armed vessel, the Bounty. It picks up the story of its captain, William Bligh, following the mutiny and details the 3600 mile voyage across open seas he took with 17 other members of the crew.
Nordhoff and Hall turned this adventure story into something more than mere action; it provided an alternative psychological insight into Bligh from the one detailed in the first book of the trilogy. It is extraordinary how Bligh transforms from a psychotic martinet into a bonafide hero in Men Against the Sea. From being a character of disgust, Bligh becomes a man uniquely suited to the task he faces of saving himself and his 17 member loyal crew.
Another turn in this volume from the first book Mutiny on the Bounty, is the change in narrator. Mutiny has as its narrator the young midshipman, Roger Byam. In Men Against the Sea, the narrator is the older, wiser, and more knowledgeable ship's surgeon, Thomas Ledward. Accordingly, the narration shifts from the perspective a young man eager for action and adventure--while being more than a bit naive--to an older man more nuanced with life and its disappointments and harsh demands. Ledward's narration and dialogue, therefore, is a bit more complex and expert than Byam's. This is a subtle shift that Nordhoff and Hall managed to pull off in a manner so to shift the reader's entire point of view from that of the first book.
Finally, there is the description of the sea. Men Against the Sea yields an image of the ocean that is constantly changing. From storms and purple clouds to sunlit days of blinding clarity, the passage of the men through the waters is as varied as any trek along the land. Blue waters, clear waters, foul waters, all turned glassy calm or foamy and violent, the sea is ever changing. By novel's end, the reader is just as eager to follow the fate of the Bounty's loyal seamen as he or she was to see out the eventual fate of the mutineers in the first volume.
Nordhoff and Hall turned this adventure story into something more than mere action; it provided an alternative psychological insight into Bligh from the one detailed in the first book of the trilogy. It is extraordinary how Bligh transforms from a psychotic martinet into a bonafide hero in Men Against the Sea. From being a character of disgust, Bligh becomes a man uniquely suited to the task he faces of saving himself and his 17 member loyal crew.
Another turn in this volume from the first book Mutiny on the Bounty, is the change in narrator. Mutiny has as its narrator the young midshipman, Roger Byam. In Men Against the Sea, the narrator is the older, wiser, and more knowledgeable ship's surgeon, Thomas Ledward. Accordingly, the narration shifts from the perspective a young man eager for action and adventure--while being more than a bit naive--to an older man more nuanced with life and its disappointments and harsh demands. Ledward's narration and dialogue, therefore, is a bit more complex and expert than Byam's. This is a subtle shift that Nordhoff and Hall managed to pull off in a manner so to shift the reader's entire point of view from that of the first book.
Finally, there is the description of the sea. Men Against the Sea yields an image of the ocean that is constantly changing. From storms and purple clouds to sunlit days of blinding clarity, the passage of the men through the waters is as varied as any trek along the land. Blue waters, clear waters, foul waters, all turned glassy calm or foamy and violent, the sea is ever changing. By novel's end, the reader is just as eager to follow the fate of the Bounty's loyal seamen as he or she was to see out the eventual fate of the mutineers in the first volume.
October 21, 2019
The story of Captain Bligh saving the lives of his menand leading them through a horrific experience. As bad as Captain Bligh came off in the Mutiny on the Bounty, he exceeds with his inexhaustible determination and unfaltering leadership to survive the South Pacific in this almost surreal teale of survival.
March 3, 2020
বাউন্টি ট্রিলজির দ্বিতীয় বই। কিন্তু আমার পড়া প্রথম। সাগরের বিরুদ্ধে আঠারো জনের সংগ্রাম। সত্যিই চমৎকার।
March 15, 2025
Browsing the library website I found a book that included all three novels that make this trilogy:
Mutiny on the Bounty (by Charles Nordhoff)
Men Against the Sea (by James Hall)
Pitcairn's Island (by Charles Nordhoff & James Hall).
Men Against the Sea follows the 19 men cast adrift in the Bounty’s launch following the mutiny.
Starting the story during his recuperation at Batavia, where he was not yet deemed well enough to return to England with the others, the acting surgeon Thomas Ledward writes his memories of the mutiny and the journey that followed.
His story begins at the moment of the mutiny, in which he and 18 others were cast adrift.
From the start of thier journey in the launch, I saw a change in Bligh - he was still short tempered and ruthless, but he seemed more confident and sure of himself - it was even mentioned in the book that he was a better captain during times of need or pressure such as this, and it was true.
I think having so few men in his command (and the party of 19 almost immediately losing one of thier number on Tofoa) probably made the mens’ lives more precious and profound to Bligh than before (in a ship of nearly 4 dozen)
Every man there respected Bligh, some were in awe of him, and all had unquestioning faith in him to lead the small ship across the seas to safety.
The long journey I had though may get quite repetitve and dull to read, but it wasn’t, thanks really to the writing of the story, details of work on the boat in all weather, day and night and hunting for food.
Thier eventual arrival at the small islands and reefs at New Holland were defiantly a godsend for them, starting at Resroration Island, it gave all men new life.
I saw too some old personalties return, so long gone in the journey from Tofoa, like the carpenters attitude to Bligh, and how the latter responded to him. I was half expecting the pair to begin a fight on the beach, but was disappointed in that the former immediately backed down.
Then seeing Bligh fly into his rage after the fire was almost unseen since before the mutiny, and he fuelled his rant with the lack of food and water, and the mens’ failures in hunting and gathering of them both.
But rather than the men cowering and being disheartened as before, it seemed to encouraged them that their commander was back to himself, that there was a new fire in him, and he was again the perfect man to lead them on such a voyage.
It was quite a short journey from here to Timor, then Batavia, not surprising given the condition Ledwars was in! I’m sure much was a blur when he was awake, even then he was only barely conscious sometimes!
I was sad to see that after surviving so long a voyage four men died literally at thier journeys end, and that Bligh was forced to slell the launch that they had all come to love, which had carried them all that way.
This was the shortest of the novels, as I had expected, as it has the shortest period of time to cover, but it is no lesser in my approximation to the others, and quite an important part to the overall story.
As I said at the start of my review, this book contains all three novels of the trilogy, and either today or tomorrow I will start the final novel, Pitcairn's Island
Mutiny on the Bounty (by Charles Nordhoff)
Men Against the Sea (by James Hall)
Pitcairn's Island (by Charles Nordhoff & James Hall).
Men Against the Sea follows the 19 men cast adrift in the Bounty’s launch following the mutiny.
Starting the story during his recuperation at Batavia, where he was not yet deemed well enough to return to England with the others, the acting surgeon Thomas Ledward writes his memories of the mutiny and the journey that followed.
His story begins at the moment of the mutiny, in which he and 18 others were cast adrift.
From the start of thier journey in the launch, I saw a change in Bligh - he was still short tempered and ruthless, but he seemed more confident and sure of himself - it was even mentioned in the book that he was a better captain during times of need or pressure such as this, and it was true.
I think having so few men in his command (and the party of 19 almost immediately losing one of thier number on Tofoa) probably made the mens’ lives more precious and profound to Bligh than before (in a ship of nearly 4 dozen)
Every man there respected Bligh, some were in awe of him, and all had unquestioning faith in him to lead the small ship across the seas to safety.
The long journey I had though may get quite repetitve and dull to read, but it wasn’t, thanks really to the writing of the story, details of work on the boat in all weather, day and night and hunting for food.
Thier eventual arrival at the small islands and reefs at New Holland were defiantly a godsend for them, starting at Resroration Island, it gave all men new life.
I saw too some old personalties return, so long gone in the journey from Tofoa, like the carpenters attitude to Bligh, and how the latter responded to him. I was half expecting the pair to begin a fight on the beach, but was disappointed in that the former immediately backed down.
Then seeing Bligh fly into his rage after the fire was almost unseen since before the mutiny, and he fuelled his rant with the lack of food and water, and the mens’ failures in hunting and gathering of them both.
But rather than the men cowering and being disheartened as before, it seemed to encouraged them that their commander was back to himself, that there was a new fire in him, and he was again the perfect man to lead them on such a voyage.
It was quite a short journey from here to Timor, then Batavia, not surprising given the condition Ledwars was in! I’m sure much was a blur when he was awake, even then he was only barely conscious sometimes!
I was sad to see that after surviving so long a voyage four men died literally at thier journeys end, and that Bligh was forced to slell the launch that they had all come to love, which had carried them all that way.
This was the shortest of the novels, as I had expected, as it has the shortest period of time to cover, but it is no lesser in my approximation to the others, and quite an important part to the overall story.
As I said at the start of my review, this book contains all three novels of the trilogy, and either today or tomorrow I will start the final novel, Pitcairn's Island
November 1, 2020
The second book in the Mutiny on the Bounty trilogy continues the tradition of “books with the kind of content in it that Marty would prefer without even having read it to a dozen of the latest prize-winning modern novels artistically re-treading WWII ‘based on true stories’ with anachronistic themes.” (Sorry, too specific? I just feel as if that is every trendy book club, prize winning novel choice nowadays. And it just makes me tired thinking of reading and feeling as if I am being forced by everyone to admit how amazing it is. Whereas survival on the open sea in a small boat after a mutiny? You had me at survival and sealed the deal with mutiny.)
Where the Mutiny on the Bounty details the build up to the mutiny, the mutiny, and the first adventures of the mutineers until some of them are taken back to England, Men Against the Sea is the much more simple tale of how Lieutenant Bligh miraculously took 18 crew members in an overcrowded, open boat, four thousand miles to safety with very limited food supplies and no firearms.
Mutiny definitely is the more fleshed out novel boasting romance, conflict, legal drama, exotic settings, and grave injustice to be addressed, yet it also has the advantage of providing the same sort of survivor element found in Men Against the Sea. That does not diminish the incredible events only marginally fictionalized in this true story telling of an adventure matched--perhaps--only by Shackleton and the survivors of The Essex.
Once again, the authors choose a narrator with excellent perspective on the adventure, although this time the narrator is far less involved or developed as in The Mutiny--merely a purpose to an end of telling the story. Which story is told without a whole lot of elaboration or frills. For me, that is more than enough. The real life events, coupled with some insightful moments of description and emotions during various stages of the adversity in the journey provide all that I needed from this “spin-off” of the original tale.
While I don’t quite have the same admiration for the leadership qualities of Bligh as I do for Shackleton nor the sense of pity for what he suffered that I hold for Pollard of the Essex, I can say that his determination and laser-focus on his duty undoubtedly rescued the crew where few others could have.
I imagine the third book will do more of the same as the second. Neither will be able to top the first with its complete story, but if it does what Men Against the Sea does, that is--as I’ve said--more than enough for me!
Where the Mutiny on the Bounty details the build up to the mutiny, the mutiny, and the first adventures of the mutineers until some of them are taken back to England, Men Against the Sea is the much more simple tale of how Lieutenant Bligh miraculously took 18 crew members in an overcrowded, open boat, four thousand miles to safety with very limited food supplies and no firearms.
Mutiny definitely is the more fleshed out novel boasting romance, conflict, legal drama, exotic settings, and grave injustice to be addressed, yet it also has the advantage of providing the same sort of survivor element found in Men Against the Sea. That does not diminish the incredible events only marginally fictionalized in this true story telling of an adventure matched--perhaps--only by Shackleton and the survivors of The Essex.
Once again, the authors choose a narrator with excellent perspective on the adventure, although this time the narrator is far less involved or developed as in The Mutiny--merely a purpose to an end of telling the story. Which story is told without a whole lot of elaboration or frills. For me, that is more than enough. The real life events, coupled with some insightful moments of description and emotions during various stages of the adversity in the journey provide all that I needed from this “spin-off” of the original tale.
While I don’t quite have the same admiration for the leadership qualities of Bligh as I do for Shackleton nor the sense of pity for what he suffered that I hold for Pollard of the Essex, I can say that his determination and laser-focus on his duty undoubtedly rescued the crew where few others could have.
I imagine the third book will do more of the same as the second. Neither will be able to top the first with its complete story, but if it does what Men Against the Sea does, that is--as I’ve said--more than enough for me!
November 11, 2025
My copy of the book was a 3-in-1 that had all three stories in them: Mutiny on the Bounty, Men Against the Sea, and Pitcairn Island. It feels a bit like cheating to count all three books on my read list, but since I'm already over my reading goal I guess it's all the same. I really just want to review this book because it's such an interesting part of the story. While I praise the author's storytelling, I have to note that the reality is far more complex than the story indicates.
The plot follows Lieutenant Bligh and his crew as they sail from the mutiny site (east of Tahiti, I believe) to safety in Timor. The story is dramatic and harrowing and perfectly illustrates the many dangers that the crew faced. The book was certainly meant to inspire and encourage, and this it accomplishes wonderfully.
The criticism that I have deals with something that perhaps cannot be helped- Lieutenant Bligh. When dealing with reality, we have to accept that people are complex creatures, and they never really fit into an author's narrative. Bligh is no exception- he was an extraordinary navigator and an excellent seaman. He had an ability to handle a crisis, and the more desperate the circumstances became the brighter he shined. Yet he was a poor captain and a profoundly incompetent leader, and fell short in the article of humanity. Bligh's reputation is mixed to this day, and rightly so. In the end of the book, the author portrays the Bounty's crewmen as looking up to their great and flawed leader with admiration and pride. This could not be further from the truth. In reality Bligh went right back to being the same tyrant as he ever was- and maybe even a little worse when he was clothed in celebrity once back in England. He treated his crew shabbily and even did some harsh injustice to the Bounty crew who couldn't leave with him, and actively aiding in the cause of injustice when the Bounty's prisoners came back to face judgment. To that end, I would only accuse the author of cherry picking a convenient 'fairytale' ending instead of telling the whole truth. The author seems to wish for a happy ending and chosen the timing to fit that desire, instead of portraying what really happened.
Having said that, I still think it's a wonderful book. And though there are more accurate narratives of the Mutiny of the Bounty, I still think this book is worth reading.
The plot follows Lieutenant Bligh and his crew as they sail from the mutiny site (east of Tahiti, I believe) to safety in Timor. The story is dramatic and harrowing and perfectly illustrates the many dangers that the crew faced. The book was certainly meant to inspire and encourage, and this it accomplishes wonderfully.
The criticism that I have deals with something that perhaps cannot be helped- Lieutenant Bligh. When dealing with reality, we have to accept that people are complex creatures, and they never really fit into an author's narrative. Bligh is no exception- he was an extraordinary navigator and an excellent seaman. He had an ability to handle a crisis, and the more desperate the circumstances became the brighter he shined. Yet he was a poor captain and a profoundly incompetent leader, and fell short in the article of humanity. Bligh's reputation is mixed to this day, and rightly so. In the end of the book, the author portrays the Bounty's crewmen as looking up to their great and flawed leader with admiration and pride. This could not be further from the truth. In reality Bligh went right back to being the same tyrant as he ever was- and maybe even a little worse when he was clothed in celebrity once back in England. He treated his crew shabbily and even did some harsh injustice to the Bounty crew who couldn't leave with him, and actively aiding in the cause of injustice when the Bounty's prisoners came back to face judgment. To that end, I would only accuse the author of cherry picking a convenient 'fairytale' ending instead of telling the whole truth. The author seems to wish for a happy ending and chosen the timing to fit that desire, instead of portraying what really happened.
Having said that, I still think it's a wonderful book. And though there are more accurate narratives of the Mutiny of the Bounty, I still think this book is worth reading.
January 21, 2024
Each of the 3 books in the “Mutiny on the Bounty” trilogy are amazing tales of adventure and maritime history. This is the second book and follows the events from the perspective of Captain Bligh between the time of the mutiny until the eventual rescue of his 18 man crew. They set about for a 3,600 mile voyage in a small sailboat without much in the way of food, medical supplies or weapons. It’s a compelling story of adventure, history, survival, the human spirit and leadership.
From the AI:
"Men Against the Sea" by Charles Nordhoff is a maritime masterpiece that takes readers on an unforgettable journey of survival and resilience. Set against the vast expanse of the open sea, Nordhoff crafts a gripping narrative that skillfully balances tension, adventure, and the enduring human spirit.
The story follows the crew of the Bounty after their ship is set adrift, leaving them at the mercy of the unpredictable ocean. Nordhoff's meticulous attention to detail and vivid descriptions bring the harsh reality of survival to life, immersing readers in the challenges and triumphs faced by the characters.
What makes "Men Against the Sea" truly exceptional is Nordhoff's ability to capture the essence of the human will to survive. The characters' courage and resourcefulness shine through as they navigate treacherous waters, showcasing the indomitable spirit that drives them against all odds. The author's portrayal of the sea as both a relentless adversary and a source of awe adds depth to the narrative, creating a visceral experience for the reader.
While the pacing is generally engaging, there are moments where the story may feel slightly drawn out. However, this doesn't overshadow the overall impact of the novel. The character development is nuanced, and the relationships that unfold amidst the challenges add emotional depth to the plot.
"Men Against the Sea" is a compelling seafaring adventure that not only entertains but also leaves a lasting impression. Charles Nordhoff's storytelling prowess and ability to evoke a sense of time and place make this novel a standout in the maritime genre. It's a captivating read that successfully navigates the complexities of survival on the high seas. Recommended for anyone seeking a thrilling and immersive maritime tale.
From the AI:
"Men Against the Sea" by Charles Nordhoff is a maritime masterpiece that takes readers on an unforgettable journey of survival and resilience. Set against the vast expanse of the open sea, Nordhoff crafts a gripping narrative that skillfully balances tension, adventure, and the enduring human spirit.
The story follows the crew of the Bounty after their ship is set adrift, leaving them at the mercy of the unpredictable ocean. Nordhoff's meticulous attention to detail and vivid descriptions bring the harsh reality of survival to life, immersing readers in the challenges and triumphs faced by the characters.
What makes "Men Against the Sea" truly exceptional is Nordhoff's ability to capture the essence of the human will to survive. The characters' courage and resourcefulness shine through as they navigate treacherous waters, showcasing the indomitable spirit that drives them against all odds. The author's portrayal of the sea as both a relentless adversary and a source of awe adds depth to the narrative, creating a visceral experience for the reader.
While the pacing is generally engaging, there are moments where the story may feel slightly drawn out. However, this doesn't overshadow the overall impact of the novel. The character development is nuanced, and the relationships that unfold amidst the challenges add emotional depth to the plot.
"Men Against the Sea" is a compelling seafaring adventure that not only entertains but also leaves a lasting impression. Charles Nordhoff's storytelling prowess and ability to evoke a sense of time and place make this novel a standout in the maritime genre. It's a captivating read that successfully navigates the complexities of survival on the high seas. Recommended for anyone seeking a thrilling and immersive maritime tale.
January 20, 2023
Review on Spanish.
No me cae bien ese capitán. Y por más que lo pinten de heroico en este libro, lo único que este quería lograr al salvar a todos sus seguidores era llegar a Inglaterra, acusar a los amotinados y sacar otro barco para apresarlos y que los ahorquen. Claro, salvar a todos los náufragos como él en el proceso tampoco le vendría mal. Todo era cuestión de ego para él.
De todas formas, tuviese la motivación que tuviese, logró la hazaña y salvó a casi todos. Puso disciplina, lo cual no era fácil estando todos en la situación desesperada en la que estaban, pero también tenía la mala fama que lo seguía de la Bounty sobre castigar a cada ocasión sin compasión, así que no creo que tuviera que imponer su voluntad con muchos problemas.
El miedo a los nativos, por otro lado, fue mucho más marcado en este libro. Mientras en el anterior solo se percibían como personas con intereses particulares con quienes podían conversar y llegar a un acuerdo, en este libro se los describe como salvajes caníbales que atacan sin razón y que son el peligro del cual cuidarse. (Claro, porque ver naves extrañas con gente como fantasmas que venían a invadir sus tierras y a traer enfermedades y pestes que maten a sus familias indicaba a los indígenas que los recibieran con los brazos abiertos.) En fin, este libro no lo disfruté tanto como el anterior, pero el interés por la historia de la Bounty no se pierde tampoco.
No me cae bien ese capitán. Y por más que lo pinten de heroico en este libro, lo único que este quería lograr al salvar a todos sus seguidores era llegar a Inglaterra, acusar a los amotinados y sacar otro barco para apresarlos y que los ahorquen. Claro, salvar a todos los náufragos como él en el proceso tampoco le vendría mal. Todo era cuestión de ego para él.
De todas formas, tuviese la motivación que tuviese, logró la hazaña y salvó a casi todos. Puso disciplina, lo cual no era fácil estando todos en la situación desesperada en la que estaban, pero también tenía la mala fama que lo seguía de la Bounty sobre castigar a cada ocasión sin compasión, así que no creo que tuviera que imponer su voluntad con muchos problemas.
El miedo a los nativos, por otro lado, fue mucho más marcado en este libro. Mientras en el anterior solo se percibían como personas con intereses particulares con quienes podían conversar y llegar a un acuerdo, en este libro se los describe como salvajes caníbales que atacan sin razón y que son el peligro del cual cuidarse. (Claro, porque ver naves extrañas con gente como fantasmas que venían a invadir sus tierras y a traer enfermedades y pestes que maten a sus familias indicaba a los indígenas que los recibieran con los brazos abiertos.) En fin, este libro no lo disfruté tanto como el anterior, pero el interés por la historia de la Bounty no se pierde tampoco.
December 14, 2017
https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/2927397.html
I read Men Against the Sea during a particularly insomniac night; it's the shortest of the three books, told in the voice of the (historical) surgeon's mate of the Bounty, Thomas Ledward, explaining the epic 41-day, 6,500 km journey taken by Bligh and 18 others in an 7-metre long open boat from the site of the mutiny (near Tofua, one of the Tonga islands) to Kupang at the western end of Timor, avoiding the potentially hostile shores of Australia and other islands - one man was killed at the very beginning, on Tofua. It is an extraordinary feat of navigation, and Nordhoff and Hall succeed in spinning it out; the internal tensions among the 18 survivors are easy to imagine and well portrayed. The impact of their ordeal on the men's digestive systems also is a disturbing but reasonable detail. Interestingly, Samuel is portrayed here as just another crew member; the previous book's anti-Semitism has disappeared. The book ends with Ledward taking his leave of Bligh, who is on his way back to London. In real life, Ledward was one of the five crewmen who died very soon after they reached Batavia (where they all went shortly after arriving in Timor).
I read Men Against the Sea during a particularly insomniac night; it's the shortest of the three books, told in the voice of the (historical) surgeon's mate of the Bounty, Thomas Ledward, explaining the epic 41-day, 6,500 km journey taken by Bligh and 18 others in an 7-metre long open boat from the site of the mutiny (near Tofua, one of the Tonga islands) to Kupang at the western end of Timor, avoiding the potentially hostile shores of Australia and other islands - one man was killed at the very beginning, on Tofua. It is an extraordinary feat of navigation, and Nordhoff and Hall succeed in spinning it out; the internal tensions among the 18 survivors are easy to imagine and well portrayed. The impact of their ordeal on the men's digestive systems also is a disturbing but reasonable detail. Interestingly, Samuel is portrayed here as just another crew member; the previous book's anti-Semitism has disappeared. The book ends with Ledward taking his leave of Bligh, who is on his way back to London. In real life, Ledward was one of the five crewmen who died very soon after they reached Batavia (where they all went shortly after arriving in Timor).
Read
September 26, 2020Well, what a masterful tale is this historical novel! "Unsurpassed as a gripping tale of historical adventure, "Men Against the Sea" is the epic account of the eighteen loyal men set adrift on the high seas after the mutiny on the Bounty. They were abandoned in a "launch" which is an open boat with the forward part covered. Prior to the era of engines on small craft, a launch was the largest boat carried on a vessel powered by sail
I am impressed how the two authors wrote this story so plausibly, keeping the pace taut, Captain Bligh showing his worst and definitely his best qualities of leadership and strength. In a 23-foot open launch, the sailors were alone on uncharted waters, struggling to survive on scant rations and taking pains to avoid war canoes and inhabited islands under cover of night. Their truly remarkable 3,600-mile voyage from the island of Tofoa in the Friendly Archipelago to the Dutch East Indies must surely be "one of the greatest feats of courage and endurance in maritime history."
It is a skilled author who can follow eighteen men in an open launch crossing the Pacific and each day find events that capture the reader's focus. Should not an open boat day after day after day form a boring tedious drab tale which loses the reader? How do Nordhoff and James Norman Hall infuse each day with a new event, a new insight, a new relation and physical condition of the men - each day seeming new and holding a grip on the reader?? Yet they do.
Here is a new sample on page 205, just beyond the outermost reefs of New Holland (Australia), and only 50 pages from the end, it written:- "What's that? Directly in our wake and not more than a quarter of a mile away, a black loud hung low over the sea, with a sagging point that approached the water in a curious, jerking fashion. And just beneath, he surface of the sea was agitated as if by a small maelstrom. Little by little, the sea rose in a conical point, making a rushing, roaring noise that was now plainly audible; little by little, the cloud sagged down to meet it. Than suddenly the sea and cloud met in a whirling column which lengthened as the cloud above seemed to rise rapidly. 'Only a waterspout,' said Bligh.... The column of water, many hundreds of feet high and thicker than the greatest oak in England, had a clear, glassy look and seemed to revolve with incredible rapidity. At its base, the sea churned and roared with sound that would have made loud sound inaudible."
Bligh completes this launch through the Pacific of 3,618 miles in an open launch, in 1789, only one man failing to survive a week or so after reaching the Dutch station on Timor.
"Men Against the Sea" is the second installment in the trilogy by Americans who joined in writing a handful of popular stories. Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall about the mutiny aboard HMS Bounty. It is preceded by Mutiny on the "Bounty" and followed by Pitcairn's Island. The novel first appeared in serial form in The Saturday Evening Post (November 18, 1933 through December 9, 1933) hence the copyright date of 1933, and it was first printed in hardcover in January 1934 by Little, Brown and Company.
I am impressed how the two authors wrote this story so plausibly, keeping the pace taut, Captain Bligh showing his worst and definitely his best qualities of leadership and strength. In a 23-foot open launch, the sailors were alone on uncharted waters, struggling to survive on scant rations and taking pains to avoid war canoes and inhabited islands under cover of night. Their truly remarkable 3,600-mile voyage from the island of Tofoa in the Friendly Archipelago to the Dutch East Indies must surely be "one of the greatest feats of courage and endurance in maritime history."
It is a skilled author who can follow eighteen men in an open launch crossing the Pacific and each day find events that capture the reader's focus. Should not an open boat day after day after day form a boring tedious drab tale which loses the reader? How do Nordhoff and James Norman Hall infuse each day with a new event, a new insight, a new relation and physical condition of the men - each day seeming new and holding a grip on the reader?? Yet they do.
Here is a new sample on page 205, just beyond the outermost reefs of New Holland (Australia), and only 50 pages from the end, it written:- "What's that? Directly in our wake and not more than a quarter of a mile away, a black loud hung low over the sea, with a sagging point that approached the water in a curious, jerking fashion. And just beneath, he surface of the sea was agitated as if by a small maelstrom. Little by little, the sea rose in a conical point, making a rushing, roaring noise that was now plainly audible; little by little, the cloud sagged down to meet it. Than suddenly the sea and cloud met in a whirling column which lengthened as the cloud above seemed to rise rapidly. 'Only a waterspout,' said Bligh.... The column of water, many hundreds of feet high and thicker than the greatest oak in England, had a clear, glassy look and seemed to revolve with incredible rapidity. At its base, the sea churned and roared with sound that would have made loud sound inaudible."
Bligh completes this launch through the Pacific of 3,618 miles in an open launch, in 1789, only one man failing to survive a week or so after reaching the Dutch station on Timor.
"Men Against the Sea" is the second installment in the trilogy by Americans who joined in writing a handful of popular stories. Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall about the mutiny aboard HMS Bounty. It is preceded by Mutiny on the "Bounty" and followed by Pitcairn's Island. The novel first appeared in serial form in The Saturday Evening Post (November 18, 1933 through December 9, 1933) hence the copyright date of 1933, and it was first printed in hardcover in January 1934 by Little, Brown and Company.
January 8, 2025
While not as grand in scope or telling as Mutiny, this book still captures part of the spirit of adventure present in the first. Detailing the survival of those loyal to the overthrown Bligh, Men Against the Sea (a title I love) explores loyalty, tenacity, and the clash of personalities in close quarters. While not an incredibly stirring or captivating read, it really does make one confront the Great Person conception of things: Could anyone but Captain Bligh have pulled off such a successful return to civilization? What process of nature through nurture produces such personalities, and how are such leaders shaped? There is something of the research question here, and I'm sure any study of strong personalities would be enhanced by an analysis of this book. For those reading just for the spirit of the high seas, however, there is little to disappoint; squalls and tempests, hostile peoples, and human nature in distress are all constant dangers, and Nordhoff and Hall are diligent and enlightened guides.
October 4, 2020
After the first book where William Bligh, former captain of the royal ship bounty was forced to relinquish his posted and leave in a rather small vessel with eighteen men. Men Against the Sea follows the journey of Lieutenant William Bligh and the eighteen men set adrift in an open boat by the mutineers of the Bounty. The story is told from the perspective of Thomas Ledward, the Bounty's acting surgeon, who went into the ship's launch with Bligh. It begins after the main events described in the novel and then moves into a flashback, finishing at the starting point.
November 25, 2020
The remarkable tale of the 19 men put to sea from the Bounty after it was taken over in a mutiny. Captain Bligh in many ways becomes an entirely different person. The words I liked best for this novel are:
"The experience brought home to me the difficulty one has in forming a true notion of any of one’s fellow creatures. They must be seen over a long period of time, and under many and varied conditions not often presenting themselves in sequence to a single observer."
"The experience brought home to me the difficulty one has in forming a true notion of any of one’s fellow creatures. They must be seen over a long period of time, and under many and varied conditions not often presenting themselves in sequence to a single observer."
August 26, 2021
This is an astounding historical narrative of Capt. Bligh’s heroic attempt in 1797 to bring his Layla sailors back to civilization after being set adrift by mutineers on the ship HMS Bounty. The characteristics of Bligh that we hated in MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY; verbal abuse, physical abuse, intolerance, and insistence on discipline are somewhat softened and are the very traits that enable him to bring the launch safely over 3000+ miles and avoiding cannibles and dangerous storms.
June 15, 2025
First read this when I was around twelve years old.
I thought it was great then and still feel the same now.
It's the story of Captain William Bligh and his incredible feat of navigation following the mutiny on the Bounty.
The government of the time vowed to smash the gang
(Fletcher Christian and others) who were responsible for putting Bligh and his shipmates into a small boat. They failed! Funny how history repeats itself.
I thought it was great then and still feel the same now.
It's the story of Captain William Bligh and his incredible feat of navigation following the mutiny on the Bounty.
The government of the time vowed to smash the gang
(Fletcher Christian and others) who were responsible for putting Bligh and his shipmates into a small boat. They failed! Funny how history repeats itself.
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