Readers on Batavia's Graveyard
‘It is now eighteen years since I first began to dream of telling the story of the wreck of the Batavia. I collected nearly everything that was published on the subject; then I went to stay on the Houtman Abrolhos where the disaster took place. For years, I kept pondering the project and jotting notes, but never actually settled down to write the first page of a book which, amid the increasingly derisive scepticism of my family, began to take on a mythical aspect. From time to time, I learned that some new book had just been published on my topic – invariably sending me into a cold sweat – and each time I would rush to get a copy of it. But no – it was always a false alarm; I saw quickly, with relief, that the author had missed the target, and this only reinforced my false sense of security.
‘Then came Mike Dash. With his Batavia’s Graveyard this author hit the bull’s eye and left me nothing more to say. Dash managed to disentangle the various threads of the complex tragedy and to set personalities and events in their historical context. Above all, he did amazing detective work in the Dutch archives. After carefully reading his detailed study, I put away for good all the documents and notes, sketches and photographs I had gathered over the years. I had no further use for them. In publishing the following pages, my only wish is that they may lead you to Dash’s work.’
Simon Leys, author of The Chairman's new clothes: Mao and the cultural revolution, in the introduction to his essay The Wreck of the Batavia: A True Story.
‘Dash has told an amazing tale, with extraordinary detail for events of so many years ago, and has brought it up to date with archeological and forensic research. This is as gripping a page-turner as a factual account has any right to be.’
Rob Hardy on amazon.com
‘It says a lot for a story when it begins with a shipwreck and builds in intensity from there. ‘Batavia's Graveyard, painstakingly researched and written by Mike Dash, starts shortly before the proud, richly laden Dutch merchantman Batavia, on her maiden voyage for the Dutch East India Co. in 1629, shattered its hull on a coral reef near Australia and some 1,500 miles shy of its destination in Java. It could have been a simple story of survival if not for the presence of Jeronimus Cornelisz aboard the doomed vessel. At first glance a simple, mid-ranking official for the company, Cornelisz harbored heretical ideas and an overblown sense of his own importance in the scheme of things -- and he had the intelligence and charisma to bend others to his will. Long before the shipwreck occurred, Cornelisz had plotted mutiny and piracy on the Batavia. But once he found himself stranded with more than 250 survivors and limited resources to keep them alive, the Dutchman decided to take matters into his own hands and decide who should live and die.
‘It might be somewhat hard to believe if this were fiction, but Dash has drawn his story from the logs, court records and testimonials of the day. As history, Batavia's Graveyard is a gripping, deeply disturbing tale. Dash should be commended for his ability to present the story with such perfect balance between sensational drama and stark historical facts. There are enough notes and references to sate even the most passionate researcher, and the narrative never falters in its flow.’
Tom Knapp on rambles.net
‘I met Dash recently while speaking on a panel at the Perth Writers' Festival and have been enjoying his book since. Batavia's Graveyard is a little like Captain Cook's story: a fantastic tale about early European visitors to Australia, yet one that few people know much about. Dash has made a real page-turner out of it.’
Tony Horwitz, author of Into the Blue: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before and Confederates in the Attic.
‘If you are planning on reading this, let me give you a heads up. What's between the covers of this book is NOT for the squeamish...I thought the story of the wreck of the Essex was bad but this takes the cake.
Batavia's Graveyard was the name given to a small island off the western coast of Australia, now known as Beacon Island. I first became aware of this story, which is true, through a wonderful program on the History Channel about recent finds on that island by archaeologists hoping to solve some of the mysteries of what exactly happened there in 1629 and the years during which the islanders, survivors of the shipwreck of the Batavia, were literally being held captive by a group of mutineers under the command/control of one single psychopathic individual. This book most definitely measures up to my rigorous standards for reading history. It is excruciatingly well documented (this author has notes & sources for every little detail).
‘Some parts I found to be a bit dull, but only because I'm not really interested in the history of shipbuilding. However, there's enough to keep you focused and indeed riveted when he gets around to the events on the islands and their aftermath.’
Nancy on goodreads.com
‘Dash not only gives a readable and engrossing account of the survivors' ordeal, but does an excellent job of placing the events within its historical context. I was fascinated by the description of life in the Dutch Republic of the early 1600s, sobered by the risks and difficulties that sea voyages of the time entailed, and absorbed by the history of the V.O.C. (Dutch East India Company). Finally, I was horrified and saddened by the events that took place on the islets once the mutiny was in full swing. The ordeal of Wiebbe Hayes's troops in attempting to repulse Jeronimus's attacks added to the complexity of the story and gave me some hope for some of the survivors. The style of writing was such that I felt like a participant to the action, and Mr. Dash did this without sacrificing historical accuracy. Batavia's Graveyard is one of the best history books I've read in quite a while, and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes history, or just a good dramatic tale.’
Anonymous customer review on barnesandnoble.com
‘I would've never thought that incidents from so long ago and far away could inspire nightmares. But this book is every bit as chilling as "In Cold Blood" or "Helter Skelter." ‘Mike Dash's book is undoubtedly the most complete account of the "Batavia" incident written thus far. The bibliographical notes he provides comprise a book in itself. For the first time, he examines the culture and background that produced a monster like Jeronimus Cornelisz, digging into ancient town records in Friesland, Amsterdam, and Haarlem…
‘This is an engrossing, albeit disturbing book. I would not recommend it for anyone who's sensitive to graphic and detailed descriptions of ways to exterminate humans. Also, be aware that the "mad heretic" claim under the main title is very misleading. Heresy was a popular word bandied during the days of the Roman Catholic Inquisition, but it has nothing to do with Cornelisz. From the evidence available, his actions don't seem to be informed by any obsessive religious creed. And as far as being "mad," there is no evidence of his being insane under our modern definitions. He was very much in control of himself. Which is the most chilling reality of all.’
Peter Kurtz on amazon.com
‘I have just finished reading one of the best pieces of non-fiction that I have read in a long time. Mike Dash’s account is enthralling… If you are even remotely interested in the period of the tall sailing ships, European empire-building, the spice trade and Terra Austalis Incognita (as I was – remotely interested), you will be fascinated by this brilliant page-turner. Dash’s research is impeccable. His writing is clear and brisk. His detailed descriptions, his finely-drawn characters and his insights into the human condition make for what would be a sensational crime thriller if it were fiction, but riveting human drama because it is true.’
Rivendell Reflections blog
‘The story was suspenseful, exciting, and pretty satisfying in its conclusion. In short, it was an utterly entertaining read, and without even meaning to, I learned a lot about the history of the Netherlands, the spice trade, sailing, the Dutch East India Company, and religion in northern Europe.’
Nicole on goodreads.com
‘This history was, quite simply, one of the best I've read in years, right up there with award-winners like In the Heart of the Sea and Seabiscuit.
‘Mike Dash's research into this bloody historical event is impeccable (the notes themselves make interesting reading) and unlike many historians, he is a first-class writer. It was a real privelege to read something that is at once a stellar piece of research and a whopping great read with an almost cinematic quality to the narration. I literally did not put this book down until I had finished it, I was so caught up in the drama of the characters and their stories. The ending was one of the best I've ever read.
‘Very highly recommended by this admittedly picky reader.’
Anonymous customer review on amazon.com
'A
wonderfully written tale of a historical event. Not into history?
Grab yourself a patch of sand and a rum drink, point your oiled body
south, and read a story which combines Lost, Lord of the Flies, and
Pirates of the Caribbean.'
Sean on goodreads.com