Customer Reviews

Guns, Sails & Empires: Technological Innovation & the Early Phases of European Expansion 1400-1700

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The author connected historical events of empire building and why Europe dominated the rest of the world during this period. Written before Germs, Guns and Steel the book explains why technology was so important to establish empires. An interesting thesis presented by Caro M. Cipolla.

Why did the countries of Europe go from second rate powers to world domination in so few years (historically speaking). Cipolla does a creditable job of examining the reasons, mostly social, that allowed this to happen. He points out that if you looked at Europe in 1200, you may not have put your money on Europe winning as big as it did.

THis book is old, the author just wrote it to get his PHD. TOO many foot or end notes, not much informative or useful information! Promise! If you choose this book for a book review, then you will be lost and upset despite the fact that this book is only 192 pages long. If you want to know about GUNS, SAILS AND EMPIRES choose the works of contemporary writers who have access to modern libraries and the internet, then you wont feel that you have wasted your time (and money)!