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A review by beccakatie
Nathaniel's Nutmeg: How One Man's Courage Changed the Course of History by Giles Milton
informative
slow-paced
3.25
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.