The Mutiny on the Bounty

O'Brien, Patrick

ISBN 10: 0802795889 ISBN 13: 9780802795885

Publisher: Walker Childrens, 2007

Synopsis

Life sailing with the Royal Navy in the 1780's was particularly miserable: sailors slept in crowded hammocks, ate moldy cheese and maggoty bread, and were subject to very harsh discipline. So when the HMS Bounty arrived in Tahiti after 11 months at sea, the crew of the Bounty thought it was heaven on earth. Living on the island paradise made them lazy and careless.

As the return journey began, Captain Bligh's crew proved reluctant to leave. His temper began to flare, and his second-in-command and old friend Fletcher Christian suffered the worst of Bligh's outbursts. His honor at stake and a longing to return to the island, Christian led a mutiny, then set Bligh and 18 loyal crew members adrift in a launch.

A daring escape by Christian and the mutineers, paired with Bligh's amazing story of survival all make up one of history's most rousing true maritime tales, and Patrick O'Brien's 85 illustrations reach epic proportions of drama and realism.

About this title

About the Author:

PATRICK O'BRIEN is the author and illustrator of eleven books for children. After earning a degree in biology from the University of Virginia in 1982, he worked at a naval architecture firm before going to art school. He has been a prolific freelance illustrator for 20 years. Patrick lives in Baltimore, Maryland, with his wife and son.
www.patrickobrienstudio.com

From Booklist:

O'Brien, whose other seafaring books include The Great Ships (2001) and Duel of the Ironclads (2003), tells of the famous mutiny on the British naval vessel Bounty in 1787. Commanded by William Bligh and, under him, Fletcher Christian, the ship sailed from England to Tahiti. After leaving the island, simmering tensions boiled over, and Christian took command of the ship, forcing Captain Bligh and sailors loyal to him onto a small boat. Miraculously, Bligh and his men survived and made their way back to England. Meanwhile, some of the mutineers returned to Tahiti, while others made their way to Pitcairn Island. O'Brien writes clearly, balances both sides of the story, and illustrates the book with dramatic watercolor-and-gouache paintings. From double-page scenes to combinations of small pictures, the handsome artwork sets the story's tone, defines the period, and brings the characters to life. Blocks of text almost give this the look of a graphic novel. A source bibliography is appended. Accessible, dramatic nonfiction, especially recommended for those who love tales of seafaring drama. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About this edition

• Publisher: Walker Childrens
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0802795889
• ISBN 13: 9780802795885
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: O'Brien Patrick