The Spanish Treasure Fleets [Paperback]

Timothy R Walton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2002

The story of the expeditions of Spanish explorers told through the history of the first American currency: pieces of eight. Traces the rise and fall of Spain's world dominance. Chronicles the developments in transportation, organization, and military technology based on competition for gold and silver.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Walton, a historian and avid coin collector, states in the very first sentence, "This is a book about money." Walton chronicles Spain's exploitation of the mineral wealth of Latin America for over 300 years, showing how that wealth transformed the world financial markets. The treasure fleets transported silver and gold mined in Peru and New Spain in large convoys twice yearly to Europe and Asia. This silver, mainly in the form of eight real pieces (pieces of eight), was then circulated worldwide by trade, laying the groundwork for our precious metal-based economic system today. Walton focuses more on political and economic activites in Europe, only briefly mentioning the disastrous impact this system had upon the indigenous peoples. Extensive footnotes and detailed reading lists are supplied with each chapter. Armchair sailors who have read the works of C.S. Forester, Alexander Kent, or Dudley Pope will find this fascinating reading. Recommended for both academic and public libraries.
John Kenny, San Francisco, P.L.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Pineapple Pr (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561642614
• ISBN-13: 978-1561642618
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #151,027 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "This is a book about money." (quote from the preface), March 30, 2000

By 

Lars Beuth (Kaiserslautern, Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Spanish Treasure Fleets (Hardcover)

It is indeed! It is a book about the unbelievable efforts made to transport gold and silver from New Spain and Peru to Spain between the 15th and 18th century, how these precious metals initiated worldwide commerce, about the rise and fall of the Spanish/ Habsburg empire and how it helped European countries to become economic and political world powers. Waltons book moves through three centuries of world history in an appropriate pace, without leaving out interesting details. It simply is a fascinating book!

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I've read in years, November 25, 2011

By 

Hookem Horns "Hookem Horns" (Athens, GA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Spanish Treasure Fleets (Paperback)

Certainly one of the best written, researched and most interesting books I've read in a decade. I sent a copy to my friend in prison, he loved it too. I wish the author would write another one.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read on the history of money in the last 500 years, January 7, 2010

By 

Rickster "Rick" (Doral, FL USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Spanish Treasure Fleets (Paperback)

Awesome book. Very well accomplished. Often times we take for granted what we have. Such is the case of money. Money has been around in one way or another for millenia. But it would not have acquired its modern form had it not been for the Spanish Treasure Fleets.