The Boundless Sea: A Human History of the Oceans

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The Boundless Sea by David Abulafia: Episode 5

The Boundless Sea by David Abulafia

Episode 5

BBC Radio 4 - The Boundless Sea by David Abulafia, Episode 5

David Abulafia charts the search for shorter routes across the world’s oceans.

David Abulafia examines the effect on global power of access to shorter routes around the world. Read by Colin McFarlane. Abridged by Laurence Wareing.

David Abulafia’s epic history of our relationship with the oceans is this year’s winner of the prestigious Wolfson History Prize. Charting maritime networks from the earliest seafaring societies, Abulafia explores how mankind has used the oceans to travel, trade and survive – for ends both noble and wicked. 

The historian charts how access to shorter routes across the oceans changed the balance of power around the world.

Read by Colin McFarlane
Abridged by Laurence Wareing
Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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Factual: History

David Abulafia's human history of the oceans and winner of the Wolfson history Prize 2020.

Book of the week. Winner of the Wolfson history Prize 2020, David Abulafia's human history of the oceans offers a bracingly different perspective of world trade and communication.

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Episode 5

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