Cloves and nutmeg are indigenous to the Spice Islands of Eastern Indonesia. The book tells of the many uses of these exotic spices and the history of their trade over a period of more than 2000 years. It describes how the Spice trade into Europe came to be dominated by Middle Eastern and Venetian merchants. Backed by the Crowns of Portugal and Spain explorers such as Columbus; Vasco da Gama and Magellan dreamt of sailing directly to the Spice Islands. Much of the story is told through the lives of these historical characters; as well as Sir Francis Drake; Jan Pieterzoom Coen; Pierre Poive and others; lesser known but equally important. The story revolves around the intense rivalry between the Sultans of Ternate and Tidore; their relationship with the Portuguese; Spanish; Dutch and English who at different times occupied the Spice Islands.
#10547 in Books Grand Central Publishing 2017-01-03 2017-01-03Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.38 x 1.25 x 6.38l; .0 #File Name: 1455540005336 pagesGrand Central Publishing
Review
208 of 226 people found the following review helpful. And The Reviews Keep Pouring In......By Scott E. HighThis is NOT a book authored by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child that continues the adventures of Special Agent A. Pendergast and his unique circle of friends and assorted characters. However this is an intriguing and very interesting documentary written by Douglas Preston that takes you inside the planning and execution of a continual search for a mythical lost city (and/or civilization) that until 2015 remained nothing more than rumor and myth(s). It is NOT an "Indiana Jones" novel and is all the more compelling for avoiding that type of embellishment and drama. You won't find a photograph of Harrison Ford inside the dust jacket but you will see a grinning shot of Douglas Preston bearing an uncanny resemblance to the (deceased) actor Edward Herrmann.Don't underestimate what is encountered and accomplished in this journey; several real-life challenges arise and have to be effectively and efficiently dealt with. This undiscovered Honduran city/civilization has remained hidden for hundreds of years for several good reasons. A combination of legends and myths; some completely false and yet others bearing an element of truth; have circulated about this area; both intriguing and cautioning researchers and potential explorers. "Ground breaking" technology (pun intended) becomes available that can help pinpoint the potential discovery of this area; but nothing beats 'boots on the ground' to prove and establish its existence.If you order this book; don't expect a fast-moving adventure tale that uses various hooks and literary schemes to reel you in. Instead expect a logical and relatively full picture of how research is conducted; expeditions planned; and the real-life difficulties and dangers encountered. Douglas Preston presents a well-documented journey; including maps and photographs; of the main characters and the steps taken to both justify and undertake this complicated and difficult exploration. Mr. Preston's writing makes it easy to imagine yourself as part of this exploratory party -- and raises the question of "is it really worth it"? For as physics class taught us in high school "every action results in an opposite and equal reaction". Some of the reactions in this story are extremely fearful -- to say the least. This particular exploration gives new meaning to the phrase "the gift that keeps on giving". Sometimes it might be better to let 'sleeping dogs lie'.Read it and enjoy it for what it is. The "Comments" sections are loaded with arguments and accusations concerning several aspects of the story; with occasional heated discussions breaking out. However; reading them and trying to interpret who is (at least) partially correct and/or accurate is sort of like watching confirmed liberals and conservatives hurling 'slings and arrows' at each other while failing to agree on anything. Great book though!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great Story; well told!By CustomerFor me the best book Douglas Preston wrote so far. I read most of his books; and I like the fiction; too (apart from some really far fetch ideas in his Pendergast novels; but I guess that stuff mostly is based on ideas by Lincoln Child; Preston is more down to earth). But this book is way better than fiction; and much more horrifying. Sad; but true.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Reads like one of his thriller novels!!By Radio WriterDoug Preston at his best. Entirely non-fiction; this reads every bit as excitingly as any of his fiction accounts. Fast paced; thrilling; insightful; with great descriptions of the excitement and dangers of finding a "lost" city that had not been visited in 500 years. A great account.
