History Happy Hour

Our guest is Andrés Reséndez and his book is Conquering the Pacific: An Unknown Mariner and the Final Great Voyage of the Age of Discovery. Here are some other books on the topic.  

Travel Narratives from the Age of Discovery: An Anthology, Peter Mancall

It is always valuable to read the words of those who participated in the event. I find this particularly true when I’m dealing with a subject or time period that I know very little about. This collection does this.

Spain’s Road to Empire: The Making of a World Power, 1492-1763, Henry Kamen

Starting with the voyage of Christopher Columbus, Kamen tells how one of the most isolated, impoverished and weak countries in Europe embarked on a path of discovery that led it to becoming one of the most powerful countries in Europe. Very good history of Spain during the age of discovery.

Vanguard of Empire: Ships of Exploration in the Age of Discovery, Roger Smith

Book looks at the history of the age of exploration with a focus on the ships that made it possible. Smith considers the details of the ships as well as the development of maritime tactics and technologies that made the golden age of discovery a reality.

Henry the Navigator: A Life, Peter Russell

All but forgotten today, in the 15^th century Prince Henry of Portugal was one of the most famous scientists, explorer and colonizer of his day. A very readable and thorough biography of an important figure of the age of discovery. Good way to get comfortable with the period.

The Portuguese Empire 1415-1808: A World on the Move, A.J.R. Russell Wood

In the race for empire in the 15^th and 16^th Centuries, Spain’s greatest competitor for domination was Portugal, which forged its own great empire in the New World. Very good history that is a counterpoint to Kamen’s book on Spain.