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  • A Land So Strange

  • The Epic Journey of Cabeza de Vaca
  • Written by: Andres Resendez
  • Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
  • Length: 7 hrs and 13 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (141 ratings)

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A Land So Strange cover art

A Land So Strange

Written by: Andres Resendez
Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
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Publisher's Summary

In 1528, a mission set out from Spain to colonize Florida. But the expedition went horribly wrong: Delayed by a hurricane, knocked off course by a colossal error of navigation, and ultimately doomed by a disastrous decision to separate the men from their ships, the mission quickly became a desperate journey of survival.

Of the 300 men who had embarked on the journey, only four survived - three Spaniards and an African slave. This tiny band endured a horrific march through Florida, a harrowing raft passage across the Louisiana coast, and years of enslavement in the American Southwest. They journeyed for almost 10 years in search of the Pacific Ocean that would guide them home, and they were forever changed by their experience. The men lived with a variety of nomadic Indians and learned several indigenous languages. They saw lands, peoples, plants, and animals that no outsider had ever seen before.

In this enthralling tale of four castaways wandering in an unknown land, Andres Resndez brings to life the vast, dynamic world of North America just a few years before European settlers would transform it forever.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2007 Andres Resendez (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

What the critics say

"Told from an intriguing and original perspective, Reséndez's narrative is a marvelous addition to the corpus of survival and adventure literature." ( Publishers Weekly)
"A must-read for anyone interested in the early history of European exploration in North America—or in real-life adventure, compellingly told." ( Bookmarks)

What listeners say about A Land So Strange

Average Customer Ratings
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Well done

Considering the lack of written record this must have been a difficult book to write. the author did a good job filling in the gaps

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Marco polo of the new world

A fascinating story of a Spaniards misadventures in North America. Very comfy to hear the story of one of that eras "good guy's" (or at least as good as someone with that chapter of history could be considered from a modern lense).
The author does a good and even handed retelling of the material and gives a sufficient amount of context without getting too deep into the weeds. As a result, if you are already well schooled in your history from this timeframe you might find it to be a bit lacking on the deep cuts. best listened to as a light, imaginatiion capturing, journey of non-fiction.

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5 stars. In 5 reads.

I heard this title from Steve Rinella in Joe Rogan Experience. Looked for it. And listened to it once. Then twice, then five times. Now leaving it with 5 stars. Good read.

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This one gives you a lot to think about

Phenomenal book. This was my first real foray into the Spanish colonization of the New World and I’m glad it was. It offers both a general overview of prior events, and the specific details of a very unique story and point in time. The narration was good and I did not lose interest the entire time.

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Fascinating historical record

This was a gripping saga of human endurance and breath-taking new discovery. I was totally engrossed in this historical account. It was also sobering and saddening to see the demeaning and degrading way that the majority of the white man treated the native cultures of the time. This was well worth spending the credit.

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Fantastic!

I really enjoyed this book. An adventurous part of history that you don’t often hear about. Highly recommended!

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    4 out of 5 stars

Good but felt a little like History Class

*3.5 Stars (good mood round up 😉)

Enjoyed the book but the continuous dates and long lists of characters took away from some of the enjoyment. Appalling treatment of other living, sentient beings. History continually repeats itself and we seldom learn unfortunately. De Vaca tried to make a change but in the end not enough influence or money... sounds awfully familiar.

Would have enjoyed it more if it was told like a good story and don't think the lack of details would have made it any less enjoyable.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Story

Fantastic story about what it was like 500 years ago and the harrowing tales behind it!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Great story

Incredible story. Didnt like how author made assumptions on what people must have been thinking.

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