In the fifteenth century, the world beyond Europe began to emerge from myth and legend, and it was the Portuguese who led the way. They founded an empire that stretched from China to Brazil, and the peak of their achievement was Vasco da Gama's discovery of a sea route to India. Still today, landmarks, coastlines and currents around the world bear Portuguese names, and the oceans of the world are one vast watery grave for Portuguese seamen. For those who sailed beyond the known world life was harsh beyond measure. Yet the discoverers were not lured only by gold, precious stones and spices -- they were driven to colonise, to enslave, to bring their religion to the unconverted. Reconstructing journeys from contemporary logs and papers, this absorbing and wonderfully vivid account brings to life the captains driving their small ships, the ordinary seamen and the far-off, not always friendly traders they met.
Unknown Seas
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
'Eclipsed for us by Columbus's westward voyages on the one hand and post-colonial proprietary feelings towards Africa and India on the other, the explorations of 15th-century Portuguese navigators have not had the recognition they've deserved in Britain ! A gripping adventure narrative, this book makes a persuasive case for the reassessment of a crucial episode in history' -- Scotsman 20031122 'This book gives a well-organised account of Portuguese preparations for the expedition, and da Gama's exploits during his 2-year voyage 1497--99 ! The text flows well, and the accounts of his dealings with various groups who were none too co-operative are stirring stuff. It is a fine read' -- Naval Review 20031122 'This is a story of incredible achievements immaculately told and well worth a place on any armchair mariner's bookshelf'. -- The Review - NHCRA 20050301 'Watkin's account of the volatile cultural melange of India in the 15th century is fascinating.' -- The Guardian 20041016
About the Author
Ronald Watkins is the author of four previous works of non-fiction. He holds a BA in history and an MS in Justice Studies. He is a member of The Hakluyt Society and The Society for the History of Discoveries. In the course of his writing he has travelled throughout South-east Asia, India, Mexico and Central America. He previously lived in Portugal where he was inspired to write this book. He now lives in Phoenix, Arizona.
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More About the Author
Ronald J. Watkins has written more than 30 books. These include Birthright, an account of the family that owns U-Haul and of the murder of Eva Shoen, plus Evil Intentions and Against Her Will, true accounts of murder. He is currently co-author of the Summit Murder Series which includes Murder on Everest. He is founder and managing writer of Watkins & Associates. He has appeared on Dominick Dunne's Power, Privilege and Justice, PrimeTime! with Tom Brokow and Katie Couric, Under Scrutiny with Jane Wallace and Geraldo with Geraldo Rivera.
Between 1993 and 1995 he resisted a subpoena served on him to compel he name his sources in researching Birthright. A Federal judge twice held him in contempt and ordering him jailed for refusing. Both times the orders were appealed and resulted in case law which upheld his right, and those of other writers, to withhold such names.
He has been reviewed in all major publications which include The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Dallas Morning News, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Washington Post, to name just a few. His book, Unknown Seas, a history of the Portuguese discoveries and the first European voyage to India by Vasco da Gama, received enthusiastic reviews. The Scotsman called it "a gripping adventure narrative". The Naval Review referred to it as "stirring stuff" and "a fine read" while The Guardian called it "fascinating". He authored a chapter on Vasco da Gama for The Great Explorers, published by Thames & Hudson in the United Kingdom in 2010.
He lives in the Sonoran desert outside Phoenix, Arizona.
Between 1993 and 1995 he resisted a subpoena served on him to compel he name his sources in researching Birthright. A Federal judge twice held him in contempt and ordering him jailed for refusing. Both times the orders were appealed and resulted in case law which upheld his right, and those of other writers, to withhold such names.
He has been reviewed in all major publications which include The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Dallas Morning News, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Washington Post, to name just a few. His book, Unknown Seas, a history of the Portuguese discoveries and the first European voyage to India by Vasco da Gama, received enthusiastic reviews. The Scotsman called it "a gripping adventure narrative". The Naval Review referred to it as "stirring stuff" and "a fine read" while The Guardian called it "fascinating". He authored a chapter on Vasco da Gama for The Great Explorers, published by Thames & Hudson in the United Kingdom in 2010.
He lives in the Sonoran desert outside Phoenix, Arizona.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An unexpected pleasure,
By sealawyer "sealawyer" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Unknown Seas: How Vasco Da Gama Opened the East (Paperback)
Every once and awhile someone will come along and write a book about a subject that has been researched, debated and otherwise covered so often before that it lacks appeal to the average reader. Under those circumstances, there is the temptation to pass by yet another telling of the same story. It is rare to find a fresh treatment of an historical event that was introduced to most Americans by a fifth grade textbook.I don't know much about the author of "Unknown Seas" but I know a great deal about the tale he tells, having studied Portuguese history for years. That said, I would enthusiastically recommend his book because it is that rare combination of accurate reporting within a broad historical context, together with a fascination for detail that makes it an unexpected pleasure. I found no errors in the description of what actually happened and great fun in how the story was told. Vacso da Gama's voyage to India was arguably one of the most significant sea journeys in recorded history. At the time it occurred it had a far greater impact upon European culture, politics and its economy than all of Columbus' multiple trips to "the new world" combined. Ronald Watkins takes the reader on this remarkable adventure but he also supplies the necessary historical background, as well as the motivations and personalities of the principal characters involved to give the story a deeper meaning. If you want an academic treatment of da Gama's extraordinary achievement, read C.R. Boxer. But if what you are looking for is a detailed accounting of how a skilled leader and often ruthless adventurer from a small nation, with limited human resources but brilliant leadership, literally changed first medieval Europe, and ultimately the world, get this book. It won't disappoint.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
History as story - a great read,
By Matthew NYC (New York City) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Unknown Seas: How Vasco Da Gama Opened the East (Paperback)
The history of Portuguese exploration and discovery in Africa and Asia is fertile ground for a dramatic tale, and the author does a good job of conveying a sense of excitement and wonder, placing the reader in the shoes of someone witnessing the events for the first time.While I found the general lack of citations disappointing, the book is easy to read while still providing detailed history of events. This book would make a great introduction for anyone with even a slight curiousity about this period in history. Further reading of more scholarly books will provide the nitty-gritty details of the various source materials (as well as the disputes by historians about various aspects) but this book avoids scholarly debate and the modern tendency to attempt to knock every historic figure off his pedestal. Overall a pleasure to read. I would just note that, unlike the some of the other reviewers, I found no trace of the author making excuses for the slave trade or any other such events. What the author has done is put the actions of the Portuguese in their proper historical context as opposed to viewing them through the lens of modern values.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bravo!,
By JPerestrello (DRC) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Unknown Seas: How Vasco Da Gama Opened the East (Paperback)
Concise , light , lively and informative work on Vasco da Gama and portuguese contribution to reach other civilisations and open the unknown world....
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