This is another first rate piece of historical recreation in the story of 14-year old Vasco Coeiho, page at King Manuel's palace in Lisbon, whose sense of adventure led him to join the Magellan expedition in 1517. He left a sheltered home, the pomp and grandeur of court circles, and his adored young princess, and entered the new life with courage and spirit. His quiet devotion and loyalty to Magellan, in contrast to most of the crew, give focus to the story of long months of hardship, mutiny and hunger as the ships made their perilous way around the world. A swift paced, informative story, with a touch of credible romance.