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Originally Posted by Sailor Steve
Looks like my kind of book. 
Last year I read Peter Padfield's Tide of Empires series, which starts with Da Gama's trade war in the Middle East. I had always heard of him as explorer, but never as conquerer merchant. I'm sure a book solely devoted to the man will give a lot better detail. Let us know how it is. |
Actually I just finished it Steve. I would recommend it. First he gives an over view of the long conflict between Islam and Christianity which has a direct bearing on the voyages of Da Gama. I always thought that the crusades were a Medieval thing, but apparently not. Columbus' and Da Gama's voyages changed the world in a profound way. Before reading this one I read this.
Five hundred years ago the world was changed in significant ways by trade. Plants, animals and humans, mostly slaves got moved around and had unusual results, it's fascinating. Good read as well.