[john.sw]

Nathaniel's Nutmeg: How One Man's Courage Changed the Course of History

by Giles Milton

Giles Milton has researched this book so well and written it in such an accessible style that I just can’t put it down!

The book deals with the competition between England, Portugal, Spain and Holland for possession of the spice-producing islands of South-East Asia throughout the 17th century.

Packed with stories of heroism, ambition, ruthlessness, treachery, murder, torture and madness, Nathaniel's Nutmeg offers a compelling story of European rivalry in the Tropics, thousands of miles from home, and the mutual incomprehensibility which often comically characterised relations between the Europeans and the local inhabitants of the prized islands.

If you’re interested in the origins of the spice trade (a when there was 60,000% profit on nutmeg), or if you just enjoy history being brought to life, then give Nathaniel's Nutmeg a try.

Paperback: 388 pages
Publisher: Sceptre (16 Mar 2000)
Language English
ISBN: 0340696761

[iwanttogoback]

john

who was nathaniel?

[john.sw]

Nathaniel Courthroupe held off Dutch marauders on a tiny nutmeg-producing island from 1616-1620 (before being killed)

Nathaniel, although the title character, is not the main thread of the story. The majority of the narrative concerns the early Spice Trade of the East Indies.

[iwanttogoback]

thanks.