A History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks

A History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks takes readers on a fascinating journey through some of the most significant underwater discoveries of all time. From a Bronze Age ship filled with ancient treasures, a Viking warship made for King Cnut, and the Tudor-era Mary Rose to the doomed HMS Terror and the wartime endurance of HMS Gairsoppa, each wreck tells a story of exploration, colonialism, migration, and human resilience.

Drawing on decades of experience excavating shipwrecks, renowned maritime archaeologist David Gibbins reveals the riches beneath the waves and demonstrates how they provide a unique porthole into the past. Through gripping narratives and in-depth research, he explores the ships, their cargoes, and the fates of those who sailed them, offering a sweeping history of the world told through these sunken time capsules.

Praise for A History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks

“Masterful and entrancing – this is big history at its best.” — Professor Alice Roberts, author of Ancestors

“A real-life Indiana Jones takes readers on a dive through these underwater museums, revealing the sunken secrets of the past.” — The Times

“Engrossing... Gibbins is the ideal person to tell the story of shipwrecks. He is a distinguished underwater archaeologist, veteran of thousands of dives and a best-selling novelist whose narrative skills are here harnessed to fact rather than fiction.” — Daily Mail

“Absolutely fascinating, beautifully written and impeccably researched.” — Sunday Independent, Ireland

“To make history and archaeology read like a thriller while being factually accurate is a rare skill indeed, and I have never seen it done better.” — Nick Lyon, Scuba Magazine

“A bravura work, insightfully woven, grippingly told and beautifully illustrated.” — Mensun Bound, author of The Ship Beneath the Ice

About the Author

David Gibbins is an esteemed maritime archaeologist and bestselling novelist. With a career spanning decades in underwater exploration, he has worked on many of the shipwrecks featured in this book. His expertise in maritime history and his skill as a storyteller make A History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks a compelling and immersive read.