'Eventful History of the Mutiny and Piratical Seizure of H.M.S. Bounty' Summary

The Eventful History of the Mutiny and Piratical Seizure of HMS Bounty by Sir John Barrow is deemed as the definitive account of the entire horrific episode. It follows the entire case as it happened, starting with the Bounty sailing from Spithead, and includes detailed descriptions of Tahiti, the events on board the ship as recounted by survivors, the trial of the mutineers in 1792 and narratives provided by others who escaped to Pitcairn Island. Original documents and papers are the mainstay of this book and they provide riveting reading. Captain Bligh's epic voyage with a handful of loyal crew in an open raft across the East Timor Sea to the Dutch East Indies, where he sought help and then traveled back to England also makes fascinating reading.

Captain Bligh was meticulous in maintaining accurate records of every event that happened. The mission logs are perfect down to the last detail. Interestingly, the wreck of the Bounty was discovered in 1957 off Pitcairn Island, by Luis Marden, an American photographer and diver who worked with National Geographic.

Several films and books on the subject have ensured that the tragic history of the Bounty remains fresh in people's memories, generation after generation. The 1962 Hollywood film Mutiny on the Bounty is perhaps the best known, with Marlon Brando cast as Fletcher Christian who led the mutineers.

The Eventful History of the Mutiny and Piratical Seizure of HMS Bounty recounts a fascinating piece of history and is a great experience to read.