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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
The content of the book is probably closer to 4-stars, but the title had me anticipating Nathaniel's story which took a long time to come and was very short lived.
Like others, this isn't my first Giles Milton book, so I was expecting the narrative to be focused on the titular figure.
It's a good book, but don't be fooled by the title!
Like others, this isn't my first Giles Milton book, so I was expecting the narrative to be focused on the titular figure.
It's a good book, but don't be fooled by the title!
I liked this book but it was let down by the fact that both the title and the strapline are misleading. Nathaniel Courthope's story lasts about 50 pages out of a total of about 370. Also, if anyone cares to explain to me how his courage changed the course of history then I'm happy to listen. But it didn't. It just didn't. Nonetheless, this was an interesting history of The Spice Race and it's conclusion, shedding a great deal of light on an aspect of history about which I knew nothing before reading this, so well done to Giles Milton for that.
I still rate Samurai William as the most accomplished work produced by the author but I wouldn't deter anyone from reading this. Just don't expect it to be a story about Nathaniel Courthope, as while he plays a significant part in the story, he didn't change the course of history and the bulk of the book is related to other events and people.
I still rate Samurai William as the most accomplished work produced by the author but I wouldn't deter anyone from reading this. Just don't expect it to be a story about Nathaniel Courthope, as while he plays a significant part in the story, he didn't change the course of history and the bulk of the book is related to other events and people.
Way too much use of original sources quotes. Now normally this is a great thing, but in this case the quotes use the original 1600s spelling - highly distracting. Also, this book is a bit of a bummer. Heavy on describing torture, light on describing any successes.
Had a hard time following the overarching story. Took 202 pages to meet the title character. There were some interesting tidbits but overall it droned on. There was also torture, pirates, and rampaging of native lands.
Up to this book I'd a;ways reckoned the Dutch to be a nice bunch who we got on well with. Well this was a bit of a revelation. Amazing slice of history I knew nothing about.
Staggering fortunes to be made, but also the usual ineptitude and the cheapness of lives - crewing a ship with 3+ times the number so that hopefully some would survive to bring it home?
Staggering fortunes to be made, but also the usual ineptitude and the cheapness of lives - crewing a ship with 3+ times the number so that hopefully some would survive to bring it home?
adventurous
dark
informative
sad
slow-paced
informative
slow-paced
This was an interesting overview of the spice race and the imperial dynamics that were occurring between European powers. I found the inclusion of the history of Manhattan particularly interesting, as it reminds us that historical events never happen in a vacuum.
Some of the historical narration fell a little short for me, though. The English, and Nathaniel, were often portrayed as the brave, plucky men standing up to the Dutch aggressors and struggling against obstacles at every turn. And while the Dutch were certainly brutal, and the English did face obstacles, the fact that they were also pursuing a policy of colonialism and violence often felt overlooked.
The man who the book is named after, Nathaniel, is described by the author as having become a footnote in history. And, even judging by Milton’s writings, that seems fair, his stand at Run did not appear to be all that more significant than other people’s actions.
I would have appreciated more of an insight into the experiences of the native peoples, and their practices. Headhunters were repeatedly mentioned, but no discussion was brought up as to how headhunting, once typically an act carried out in war, became prolific because of European powers exoticising shrunken heads and creating a demand for them.
Overall this was an interesting introduction into the spice race, but at times felt a little tasteless and lacking nuance and criticism of the English, who appeared to often become the book’s heroes.
Some of the historical narration fell a little short for me, though. The English, and Nathaniel, were often portrayed as the brave, plucky men standing up to the Dutch aggressors and struggling against obstacles at every turn. And while the Dutch were certainly brutal, and the English did face obstacles, the fact that they were also pursuing a policy of colonialism and violence often felt overlooked.
The man who the book is named after, Nathaniel, is described by the author as having become a footnote in history. And, even judging by Milton’s writings, that seems fair, his stand at Run did not appear to be all that more significant than other people’s actions.
I would have appreciated more of an insight into the experiences of the native peoples, and their practices. Headhunters were repeatedly mentioned, but no discussion was brought up as to how headhunting, once typically an act carried out in war, became prolific because of European powers exoticising shrunken heads and creating a demand for them.
Overall this was an interesting introduction into the spice race, but at times felt a little tasteless and lacking nuance and criticism of the English, who appeared to often become the book’s heroes.
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11772403
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11772403
The title's a misnomer. Nathaniel Courthorpe represents something of a footnote in the history of the Spice Wars, as heroic as his actions were. The events leading to his futile and brave defence of the nutmeg-bearing island of Run are terrific, told in breathless, 'boys own' adventurous passages as the history of attempts to reach East Asia from Europe is outlined in some detail. The journey, perilously undertaken by contemporary ships across vast and often forbidding oceans, was not for the faint-hearted. Your chances of making it across alive were slim, the reward for doing so less than guaranteed, the sheer human effort involved a mixture of greedy ambition and derring-do lunacy.
However, the consequences of the Spice Wars - a more or less forgotten chapter in the annals of European empire building - were far reaching, and it's these that make the book so worth reading. Of the two combatants involved, the Netherlands claimed the Spice Islands. England traded in its stake and was handed Manhattan Island as compensation. The story in reaching this momentous point in history is covered here in full, and it's a good one.
However, the consequences of the Spice Wars - a more or less forgotten chapter in the annals of European empire building - were far reaching, and it's these that make the book so worth reading. Of the two combatants involved, the Netherlands claimed the Spice Islands. England traded in its stake and was handed Manhattan Island as compensation. The story in reaching this momentous point in history is covered here in full, and it's a good one.
informative
slow-paced