Simon Parker

Simon Parker, an associate professor at the University of Oxford and author of 'Wreckers: Disaster in the Age of Discovery,' shares gripping tales from the perilous voyages of the 16th century. He explores the physical and mental toll on sailors battling hurricanes and disease, and recounts disastrous encounters with indigenous peoples. From shipwrecks in the Indian Ocean to the harsh survival strategies of stranded crews, Parker illuminates the extreme risks of exploration, revealing how greed and hubris often led to tragedy.