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The epic life story of the Atlantic Ocean from the bestselling author, Simon Winchester In a narrative tour de force, Simon Winchester dramatises the life story of the Atlantic Ocean, from its birth in the farther recesses of geological time to its eventual extinction millions of years in the future. At the core of the book is the story of mankind´s complex relationship with this immense sea, which stretches for 9,000 miles from pole to pole. The Atlantic has profoundly influenced the lives of those who have lived along its shores, from hardscrabble pioneers in windswept locations such as the Aran Islands and Newfoundland, to the inhabitants of the great port cities of Lisbon, Rio, London and New York. ´Atlantic´ brings to life key episodes in this compelling human drama - the age of exploration and the subsequent colonisation of the Americas; the flourishing of transatlantic commerce and the rise and fall of the slave trade; extraordinary tales of sea-borne emigration during the nineteenth century; and the great naval battles that have left an indelible imprint on Atlantic history. Travelling by small sailing craft, container ship and general cargo vessel, Simon Winchester will journey around the edges and across the vast expanse of the ocean to report from the places that encapsulate its most fascinating stories. It is an enthralling mixture of history, science and reportage from a master of narrative non-fiction, and the definitive account of this magnificent body of water.

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Simon Winchester, preisgekrönter britischer Journalist und erfolgreicher Sachbuchautor, hat als Auslandskorrespondent aus fast allen Ländern der Welt berichtet. Er lebte in Asien und Afrika; heute ist er auf einer kleinen Farm in Nebraska zu Hause.

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Simon Winchester´s books are New York Times bestsellers and appeared on numerous best and notable booklists. In recognition of his accomplished body of work, Winchester was made Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2006. He lives in Massachusetts and in the Western Isles of Scotland.

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