Conquerors

Portuguese exploration has not garnered much attention from historians, despite the popular acclaim of Columbus and other conquistadors. The Portuguese solved the riddle of Atlantic winds, launched Vasco da Gama to India, and beat the Spanish to East Indian spice kingdoms, before embarking on the creation of the world's first long-range maritime empire. With scant resources but incredible ambition, a few brilliant and ruthless empire builders attempted to gain control of Indian Ocean trade, destroy Islam, and seize control of international commerce with a stunning 30-year blitzkrieg at sea. This is narrative history at its most vivid—an epic tale of navigation, trade, technology, money, religious zealotry, political diplomacy, and espionage—told with Roger Crowley's trademark brilliance and energy.