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Outposts
- Journeys to the Surviving Relics of the British Empire
- Narrated by: Simon Winchester
- Length: 6 hrs and 46 mins
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Outposts
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Publisher's Summary
The New York Times best-selling author of Krakatoa and The Professor and the Madman takes listeners on a quirky and charming tour of the last outpost of the British empire
Originally published in 1985, Outposts is Simon Winchester's journey to find the vanishing empire, "on which the sun never sets". In the course of a three-year, 100,000 mile journey - from the chill of the Antarctic to the blue seas of the Caribbean, from the South of Spain and the tip of China to the utterly remote specks in the middle of gale-swept oceans - he discovered such romance and depravity, opulence and despair that he was inspired to write what may be the last contemporary account of the British empire.
Written with Winchester's captivating style and breadth, here are conversations and anecdotes, myths and political analysis, scenery and history - a poignant and colorful record of the lingering beat of what was once the heart of the civilized world.
What the critics say
"Funny, masterly, fine....Superbly written." (The New York Times Book Review)
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What listeners say about Outposts
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Alison Buchanan
- 2019-03-25
SW is always a treat!!! Can listen to him forever
Listened to it three times already.
Love him as an author and geographer!
will buy them all
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- J. S. Koehler
- 2006-01-28
Nice Travelogue
I've enjoyed many of Winchester's narrative histories (and am currently listenting to "A Crack at the Edge of the World"), but found this travelogue an equally diverting listen, if a little short on truly useful information, as I doubt I'll ever have the time or money to visit these remote remnants of the British Empire. My one regret is that the book is only available on audio in abridged format (the author explains why this choice was made and how he elected which chapters to eliminate). The narration is excellent.
8 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Manny K
- 2016-06-23
I wish it was longer!
My first exposure to Simon Winchester and I look forward to much more. He mentions in the introduction that he was required to edit the audio version, which is unfortunate as I would have liked to hear more. Wonderful blend of interesting facts, anecdote, and biting political commentary.
5 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Andy
- 2009-03-21
colorful stories about distant rocks
Winchester does it again! He brings his colorful descriptions of the history and geology of Great Britain's distant appendages. Author's interview at the end of the book is extra special.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Alison
- 2013-11-17
Lost Places
I thought I would really enjoy this book, but ended up feeling rather sad in the end. The book is well written and well read, but incredibly disheartening. It seems Britain has managed to hold these leftovers of empire in a state of benevolent neglect which is shameful.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Arthor
- 2013-07-05
Always worthwhile
Any additional comments?
Well, I just adore Simon Winchester. This was, comparably speaking, lighter fare. None the less, engaging, informative and nicely written. I read Atlantic before this which is far more mind blowing but this was a nice sort of coda to that.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
- Darcy
- 2010-06-19
I'd still listen to anything he's written
Well, this is an earlier work, and every successful author appears to dig up some early work of lesser quality. Nevertheless, there were some interesting passages in his turn 'round the remains of the British empire. Still, I wish that he had gone to Ascension Island.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nancy L.
- 2021-09-12
Good book, chapters are off
I read the print version of this book and loved it.
The audio version is well read by the author.
However, it is abridged; with a sample of another book by Winchester at the end. Why abridge it, and then add something from another book?
Also, the chapters are off. They break in the middle of a chapter. Seems easy to fix...
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- S. Mahon
- 2020-12-28
Wish it were unabridged
Another great Simon Winchester book read by the author. Some chapters were omitted. Still a worthwhile listening experience
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rick Hintze
- 2020-11-22
Frustrated
This popped up on my screen in the middle of listening to another book and i could not exit.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- richard
- 2017-08-22
too short. should of been unabridged!
abridgement is a crime. especially for this author. I felt robbed. I want the whole book. Why was the audio book abridged?!