New Worlds, Ronald H Fritze
Title: New Worlds: The Great Voyages of Discovery 1400-1600
Author/s: Ronald H Fritze
Condition: GOOD (Ex. Lib)
Edition/Year: 2002
Publisher: The History Press
Pages: 288
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9780750923460
Category: Nonfiction / History / Geography / Trade Routes
About the Book:
This book is a fascinating narrative history of the great voyages of discovery, and is the only one of its kind to span the crucial period 1400-1600.
The two hundred years encompassed by this study are arguably the foundation years of modern Europe. The huge expansion in trade and the acquisition of vast empires that characterize the period set the pattern for at least the next two centuries.
Ronald Fritze begins his survey with a portrait of medieval Europe, its economy, its geography and the developments in naval architecture and design that made the great voyages possible. He goes on to consider in detail the voyages of Henry the Navigator, Columbus, da Gama, Cabot; the Portuguese spice empire in Asia, (which is contrasted with the simultaneous rise of the Mogul empire) and the unblocking of both South and North America. The culmination of these navigational efforts was the circumnavigation of the earth by Magellan and the opening up of successful Pacific trade routes. A final chapter considers the impact of European expansion, its effect on the world view and economy and the challenges to the Spanish and Portuguese from the Dutch, English and French.
Drawing on new research into Columbus, Drake, da Gama and Cabot, among others this is an up to date survey of an intrinsically exciting and interesting period.
Ronald Fritze captures this excitement, while at the same time providing access to the latest scholarship.
