Engaging and informative, this history of the English-Dutch conflict over the spice trade kept my interest throughout the book. I had known a little about how important spices were, and how the search for a new way to the Far East led to Columbus' voyages, but I didn't know all the details about the hardships the merchants and sailors went through.
An interesting account of what men will do to each other just to make themselves rich. It also reminded me why the people of the East Indies weren't all that upset when the Japanese ousted the Dutch from those islands early in World War II. Not that the Japanese were any better. I gave it just 3.5 stars because I became weary of reading about man's inhumanity to each other. Fortunately the Dutch have a much better reputation today than they earned back then.
And it also gives me something to think about when I add extra nutmeg to my pumpkin pies along with the pumpkin pie spices.
While the book focuses on nutmeg other spices are also discussed.
And it also gives me something to think about when I add extra nutmeg to my pumpkin pies along with the pumpkin pie spices.
While the book focuses on nutmeg other spices are also discussed.
