This week on Here’s What We Know, catch an unexpected and riveting conversation with Eric Jay Dolan, bestselling author, about his incredible new book “Left for Dead.” Join us as we explore the thrilling story of Charles Barnard, a sealing captain marooned in the Falkland Islands during the War of 1812. Eric breaks down how he stumbled upon this almost-forgotten piece of history and details Barnard’s survival against unthinkable odds. Alongside personal anecdotes and rich historical context, we journey through the fascinating and tumultuous experiences that make this tale deserving of a movie adaptation. If you’re a history buff or love incredible survival stories, this episode is a must-listen!
This episode is sponsored by:
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In this Episode:
- Eric Jay Dolin’s journey to discovering this forgotten piece of history.
- Charles Barnard’s heroic leadership and survival strategies.
- The sealing industry’s role in early America and its historical context.
- The tragic wreck of the Isabella.
- Why this book hasn’t hit the big screen (yet) and why it absolutely should.
Quotations:
“When you realize how many authors, American authors, if we stick to our country, who wrote in the 1800s that anybody knows today, it is vanishingly small.” ~ Eric Jay Dolin
“Just by being humans, you have an impact on the environment. And a lot of our wealth today is being built on the backs of the natural environment one way or the other. The choice that humans have to make is how much is too much? Should we be doing this? Shouldn’t we be doing this? Can we do this in a better way?” ~ Eric Jay Dolin
“We have a big impact on our environment despite our concerns about the environment. But it was different back then. It was a little more extreme.” ~ Eric Jay Dolin
“Think about your life today. Everybody in their life meets a bully somewhere along the line, meets a really miserable person. It seems to always make the wrong or the worst decisions.” ~ Eric Jay Dolin
“Being a writer is a lot easier than having to go to the open ocean and make my living back then.” ~ Eric Jay Dolin
“I love the ocean. But the thought of getting into a vessel, going out beyond land for months at a time, even in a nicely equipped modern ship, causes my heart to skip a beat.” ~ Eric Jay Dolin
“There are still other stories out there, maritime stories from the 1800s that somebody’s gonna write about someday and people are gonna say, never heard of that.” ~ Eric Jay Dolin
“History is pretty deep and rich. You just have to do the digging.” ~ Eric Jay Dolin
Bio:
Eric Jay Dolin’s lifelong fascination with the ocean and the natural world began on the shores of New York and Connecticut, where he spent his childhood exploring tidepools and collecting seashells along the Atlantic coast. Though he initially aspired to become a marine biologist, Eric’s journey led him to environmental policy, where his passion for storytelling and advocacy flourished.
With degrees from Brown University, Yale, and a Ph.D. in environmental policy and planning from MIT, Eric has held a range of impactful roles, including working for the National Marine Fisheries Service, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and as a curatorial assistant in Harvard’s Mollusk Department.
Today, Eric is best known as an acclaimed author and storyteller, weaving captivating narratives about the intersection of history, nature, and humanity. Through his books and articles, he shares the stories that inspire him, inviting readers to explore the wonders and complexities of the natural world.
Guest Contact Info:
Website: https://www.ericjaydolin.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ericjaydolin