Unknown Seas: How Vasco Da Gama Opened The East - Couverture souple

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)

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)

'This is a story of incredible achievements immaculately told and well worth a place on any armchair mariner's bookshelf'. (The Review - NHCRA)

Watkin's account of the volatile cultural melange of India in the 15th century is fascinating. (The Guardian)

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.