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1494: How a Family Feud in Medieval Spain Divided the World in Half
"This is a starry love story, a tale of seething jealousies and subterfuge, a political imbroglio, and religious cruelties. It sounds like Shakespeare and it could have very well been the plot of one of his plays."
- -Toronto Star
In 1494, award-winning author Stephen R. Bown tells the untold story of the explosive feud between monarchs, clergy, and explorers that split the globe between Spain and Portugal and made the world's oceans a battleground.
When Columbus triumphantly returned from America to Spain in 1493, his discoveries inflamed an already-smouldering conflict between Spain's renowned monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, and Portugal's João II. Which nation was to control the world's oceans? To quell the argument, Pope Alexander VI―the notorious Rodrigo Borgia―issued a proclamation laying the foundation for the Treaty of Tordesillas of 1494, an edict that created an imaginary line in the Atlantic Ocean dividing the entire known (and unknown) world between Spain and Portugal.
Just as the world's oceans were about to be opened by Columbus's epochal voyage, the treaty sought to limit the seas to these two favored Catholic nations. The edict was to have a profound influence on world it propelled Spain and Portugal to superpower status, steered many other European nations on a collision course, and became the central grievance in two centuries of international espionage, piracy, and warfare.
The treaty also began the fight for "the freedom of the seas"―the epic struggle to determine whether the world's oceans, and thus global commerce, would be controlled by the decree of an autocrat or be open to the ships of any nation―a distinctly modern notion, championed in the early seventeenth century by the Dutch legal theorist Hugo Grotius, whose arguments became the foundation of international law.
At the heart of one of the greatest international diplomatic and political agreements of the last five centuries were the strained relationships and passions of a handful of powerful individuals. They were linked by a shared history, mutual animosity, and personal obligations―quarrels, rivalries, and hatreds that dated back decades. Yet the struggle ultimately stemmed from a young woman's determination to defy tradition and the king, and to choose her own husband.
- -Toronto Star
In 1494, award-winning author Stephen R. Bown tells the untold story of the explosive feud between monarchs, clergy, and explorers that split the globe between Spain and Portugal and made the world's oceans a battleground.
When Columbus triumphantly returned from America to Spain in 1493, his discoveries inflamed an already-smouldering conflict between Spain's renowned monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, and Portugal's João II. Which nation was to control the world's oceans? To quell the argument, Pope Alexander VI―the notorious Rodrigo Borgia―issued a proclamation laying the foundation for the Treaty of Tordesillas of 1494, an edict that created an imaginary line in the Atlantic Ocean dividing the entire known (and unknown) world between Spain and Portugal.
Just as the world's oceans were about to be opened by Columbus's epochal voyage, the treaty sought to limit the seas to these two favored Catholic nations. The edict was to have a profound influence on world it propelled Spain and Portugal to superpower status, steered many other European nations on a collision course, and became the central grievance in two centuries of international espionage, piracy, and warfare.
The treaty also began the fight for "the freedom of the seas"―the epic struggle to determine whether the world's oceans, and thus global commerce, would be controlled by the decree of an autocrat or be open to the ships of any nation―a distinctly modern notion, championed in the early seventeenth century by the Dutch legal theorist Hugo Grotius, whose arguments became the foundation of international law.
At the heart of one of the greatest international diplomatic and political agreements of the last five centuries were the strained relationships and passions of a handful of powerful individuals. They were linked by a shared history, mutual animosity, and personal obligations―quarrels, rivalries, and hatreds that dated back decades. Yet the struggle ultimately stemmed from a young woman's determination to defy tradition and the king, and to choose her own husband.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2011
About the author
Stephen R. Bown
18 books170 followerswww.facebook.com/srbown
I am a critically acclaimed author of nine literary non-fiction books on the history of science, exploration and ideas. I take a biographical and narrative approach to my writing, using the techniques of fiction writing – strong storytelling, creative language, emphasizing people, their decisions, actions and motivations – to tell factually and historically accurate stories. I believe that people and their behavior never change, only the context is different. My lifelong interest in history is fueled by the lessons to be learned from studying the successes and failures of history's greatest thinkers, leaders and innovators, those who challenged conventional thinking and entrenched power structures to change their world. I am particularly interested in how the world we live in today was formed by individuals who were responding to the big challenges of their time, and in particular, how and why those individuals became pioneers.
I live in a small town in the Rocky Mountains with my wife Nicky and two kids. When I'm not writing I'm usually reading, mountain biking, hiking and camping in the summer, and downhill and cross country skiing in the winter.
My website www.stephenrbown.net includes more information about my books including reviews and awards.
I am a critically acclaimed author of nine literary non-fiction books on the history of science, exploration and ideas. I take a biographical and narrative approach to my writing, using the techniques of fiction writing – strong storytelling, creative language, emphasizing people, their decisions, actions and motivations – to tell factually and historically accurate stories. I believe that people and their behavior never change, only the context is different. My lifelong interest in history is fueled by the lessons to be learned from studying the successes and failures of history's greatest thinkers, leaders and innovators, those who challenged conventional thinking and entrenched power structures to change their world. I am particularly interested in how the world we live in today was formed by individuals who were responding to the big challenges of their time, and in particular, how and why those individuals became pioneers.
I live in a small town in the Rocky Mountains with my wife Nicky and two kids. When I'm not writing I'm usually reading, mountain biking, hiking and camping in the summer, and downhill and cross country skiing in the winter.
My website www.stephenrbown.net includes more information about my books including reviews and awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
April 25, 2018
I did not like this book. Brown writes clearly and gives history a more enjoyable presentation than many other writers. The principal objection I have is the central argument of his book, namely that the Treaty of Tordesillas was a monumental treaty that altered the course of history. This approach borders on what-if history. The rest of the book tries to support this claim without actually doing so. The result is casual history of exploration in the Fifteenth Century.
The Treaty of Tordesillas consolidated a group of Papal Bulls ca. 1492 that divided the unknown or undiscovered world between Portugal and Spain along a seemingly arbitrary line in the Atlantic Ocean. While Brown pokes fun at Isabella and Ferdinand, and Joao II, and Pope Alexander the VI, even he concedes, albeit quietly and briefly, that the Papal Bulls and the Treaty of Tordesillas were intended the prevent war between Portugal and Spain. The documents may have been ridiculous to Indonesians, Aztecs, French, and English peoples of the Fifteenth Century, let alone their descendants in the Twentieth Century; but the documents accomplished their mission. Despite intense rivalry, war was prevented. To argue that Portugal and Spain claimed ownership of the world and the oceans ignores the fact that diplomacy often starts off with grand declarations and then reduced to more manageable agreements. It is the same thing as the diplomats declaring their king "the most Christian king...." Brown barely offers anything to support his argument that the treaty actually had a major affect on anything beyond preventing war in 1494.
The subtitle of the book is "How a family feud in Medieval Spain divided the world in half." True, the kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula were interrelated royalty; but Brown clearly shows how distantly related they were. It is not a feud between brothers or cousins; but something more distant. And the feud was between Spain and Portugal, not Castille and Aragon. It is difficult to label the economic, exploratory, and colonial rivalry between Spain and Portugal as a family feud. History regards them as separate dynasties.
On the positive side, Brown writes very clearly and concisely. This makes the book far easier to read than the books he cites as sources, which have a more academic bent. Brown admits that he is a generalist writing for mass consumption, so he has liberty to emphasize and omit parts of the historical narrative. This can make for a smooth reading; but it also allows for revisionist history by minimizing the Inquisition to extol praise for Queen Isabella, who becomes a heroine in Brown's book. It allows for vilifying Columbus who comes out as an ignorant narcissist full of his own hubris and greed. There may be truth to Brown's simplification; but in a book intended for a general audience it gives a distorted view of history.
Overall, I disliked the book. Other works cover the strengths and weaknesses of the early explorers more thoroughly than Brown's work. In fact, the sources that he cites are overall much better, if dryer and more dense. The distortions to give flavor and character to history are bad enough to warrant a luke-warm review. But it is the exaggerated and weak thesis that really bothers me.
The Treaty of Tordesillas consolidated a group of Papal Bulls ca. 1492 that divided the unknown or undiscovered world between Portugal and Spain along a seemingly arbitrary line in the Atlantic Ocean. While Brown pokes fun at Isabella and Ferdinand, and Joao II, and Pope Alexander the VI, even he concedes, albeit quietly and briefly, that the Papal Bulls and the Treaty of Tordesillas were intended the prevent war between Portugal and Spain. The documents may have been ridiculous to Indonesians, Aztecs, French, and English peoples of the Fifteenth Century, let alone their descendants in the Twentieth Century; but the documents accomplished their mission. Despite intense rivalry, war was prevented. To argue that Portugal and Spain claimed ownership of the world and the oceans ignores the fact that diplomacy often starts off with grand declarations and then reduced to more manageable agreements. It is the same thing as the diplomats declaring their king "the most Christian king...." Brown barely offers anything to support his argument that the treaty actually had a major affect on anything beyond preventing war in 1494.
The subtitle of the book is "How a family feud in Medieval Spain divided the world in half." True, the kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula were interrelated royalty; but Brown clearly shows how distantly related they were. It is not a feud between brothers or cousins; but something more distant. And the feud was between Spain and Portugal, not Castille and Aragon. It is difficult to label the economic, exploratory, and colonial rivalry between Spain and Portugal as a family feud. History regards them as separate dynasties.
On the positive side, Brown writes very clearly and concisely. This makes the book far easier to read than the books he cites as sources, which have a more academic bent. Brown admits that he is a generalist writing for mass consumption, so he has liberty to emphasize and omit parts of the historical narrative. This can make for a smooth reading; but it also allows for revisionist history by minimizing the Inquisition to extol praise for Queen Isabella, who becomes a heroine in Brown's book. It allows for vilifying Columbus who comes out as an ignorant narcissist full of his own hubris and greed. There may be truth to Brown's simplification; but in a book intended for a general audience it gives a distorted view of history.
Overall, I disliked the book. Other works cover the strengths and weaknesses of the early explorers more thoroughly than Brown's work. In fact, the sources that he cites are overall much better, if dryer and more dense. The distortions to give flavor and character to history are bad enough to warrant a luke-warm review. But it is the exaggerated and weak thesis that really bothers me.
June 14, 2013
This a good generalist novel on the events leading to the 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas and the ramifications stemming from that Treaty. I for one, had no idea that it was the Pope (Pope Alexander VI aka the infamous Rodrigo Borgia) who decreed this and how Brazil is the only Portuguese speaking country in South America. Since this was a papal bull, it was enforced for a century and led to Spain and Portugal being superpowers of the day until the Protestant Reformation. It highlights Columbus's voyage to the Americas, the politics behind Castile, Aragon and Portugal, the religous climate of late 1400's and how the Protestant Reformation eroded the authority of the Treaty so other nations can participate in trade.
September 10, 2019
This book tells the story of how Spain and Portugal went out to conquer the world - and decided on how to divide it.
It could very well be a fantasy novel - with feuds between family members, a corrupt church, and great discoveries in insanely dangerous trips... But it happened indeed.
Because I was born in Brazil, a knew about the existence of the Treaty of Tordesillas - but only something along the lines of "so, the kings sat down and decided on this line, and that was it".
What I did not know about was the family relations, all the characters involved (Pope Alexander VI, Isabel and Fernando of Spain, Afonso of Portugal) and the relationships between them.
In this regard, it is amazing (albeit a bit frightening) to realize how a few noble families molded much of the world as it is.
The book starts by laying the historical context of the XVth century, and also talks about the implications of the Treaty in the following centuries: the English, French and Dutch navigations and colonies, the globalization of trade, and the concept of Mare Liberum.
But the book does not shy away at showing the cruel treatment of the native people of the American continent, the constant slavery of the people of Africa, and how much of the gold extracted from America (and it was a lot of gold!) was used to finance wars between noble people and impose religious dogma.
All things considered, it is always fascinating to learn about the past: it is shocking to realize how History has unveiled. And it is useful to learn about past mistakes - with the hope that we won't incur on them again. 5/5
It could very well be a fantasy novel - with feuds between family members, a corrupt church, and great discoveries in insanely dangerous trips... But it happened indeed.
Because I was born in Brazil, a knew about the existence of the Treaty of Tordesillas - but only something along the lines of "so, the kings sat down and decided on this line, and that was it".
What I did not know about was the family relations, all the characters involved (Pope Alexander VI, Isabel and Fernando of Spain, Afonso of Portugal) and the relationships between them.
In this regard, it is amazing (albeit a bit frightening) to realize how a few noble families molded much of the world as it is.
The book starts by laying the historical context of the XVth century, and also talks about the implications of the Treaty in the following centuries: the English, French and Dutch navigations and colonies, the globalization of trade, and the concept of Mare Liberum.
But the book does not shy away at showing the cruel treatment of the native people of the American continent, the constant slavery of the people of Africa, and how much of the gold extracted from America (and it was a lot of gold!) was used to finance wars between noble people and impose religious dogma.
All things considered, it is always fascinating to learn about the past: it is shocking to realize how History has unveiled. And it is useful to learn about past mistakes - with the hope that we won't incur on them again. 5/5
May 27, 2018
"In 1494, award-winning author Stephen R. Brown tells the untold story of the explosive feud between monarchs, clergy, and explorers that split the globe between Spain and Portugal and made the world's oceans a battleground.
"When Columbus triumphantly returned from America to Spain in 1493, his discoveries inflamed an already-smouldering conflict between Spain's renowned monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, and Portugal's Joao II. Which nation was to control the world's oceans? To quell the argument, Pope Alexander VI -- the notorious Rodrigo Borgia -- issued a proclamation laying the foundation for the Treaty of Tordesillas of 1494, an edict that created an imaginary line in the Atlantic Ocean dividing the entire known (and unknown) world between Spain and Portugal.
"Just as the world's oceans were about to be opened by Columbus's epochal voyage, the treaty sought to limit the seas to these two favored Catholic nations. The edict was to have a profound influence on world history: it propelled Spain and Portugal to superpower status, steered many other European nations on a collision course, and became the central grievance in two centuries of international espionage, piracy, and warfare.
"The treaty also began the fight for 'the freedom of the seas' -- the epic struggle to determine whether the world's oceans, and thus global commerce, would be controlled by the decree of an autocrat or be open to the ships of any nation -- a distinctly modern notion, championed in the early seventeenth century by the Dutch legal theorist Hugo Grotius, whose arguments became the foundation of international law.
"At the heart of one of the greatest international diplomatic and political agreements of the last five centuries were the strained relationships and passions of a handful of powerful individuals. They were linked by a shared history, mutual animosity, and personal obligations -- quarrels, rivalries, and hatreds that dated back decades. Yet the struggle ultimately stemmed from a young woman's determination to defy tradition and the king, and to choose her own husband."
~~front & back flaps
Well researched and well-written, this book provides a detailed, in-depth trip through the feuds and fears that shaped Western civilization as it stumbled upon the Occidental Hemisphere: unknown lands, unknown peoples, unknown treasures. Covering the period from 1494 to roughly the mid-eighteenth century, it outlines the events that helped shape the world we live in today.
This is not the sort of history I really enjoy reading; it was interesting, but not riveting. But I highly recommend it for any reader who is a true history buff.
"When Columbus triumphantly returned from America to Spain in 1493, his discoveries inflamed an already-smouldering conflict between Spain's renowned monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, and Portugal's Joao II. Which nation was to control the world's oceans? To quell the argument, Pope Alexander VI -- the notorious Rodrigo Borgia -- issued a proclamation laying the foundation for the Treaty of Tordesillas of 1494, an edict that created an imaginary line in the Atlantic Ocean dividing the entire known (and unknown) world between Spain and Portugal.
"Just as the world's oceans were about to be opened by Columbus's epochal voyage, the treaty sought to limit the seas to these two favored Catholic nations. The edict was to have a profound influence on world history: it propelled Spain and Portugal to superpower status, steered many other European nations on a collision course, and became the central grievance in two centuries of international espionage, piracy, and warfare.
"The treaty also began the fight for 'the freedom of the seas' -- the epic struggle to determine whether the world's oceans, and thus global commerce, would be controlled by the decree of an autocrat or be open to the ships of any nation -- a distinctly modern notion, championed in the early seventeenth century by the Dutch legal theorist Hugo Grotius, whose arguments became the foundation of international law.
"At the heart of one of the greatest international diplomatic and political agreements of the last five centuries were the strained relationships and passions of a handful of powerful individuals. They were linked by a shared history, mutual animosity, and personal obligations -- quarrels, rivalries, and hatreds that dated back decades. Yet the struggle ultimately stemmed from a young woman's determination to defy tradition and the king, and to choose her own husband."
~~front & back flaps
Well researched and well-written, this book provides a detailed, in-depth trip through the feuds and fears that shaped Western civilization as it stumbled upon the Occidental Hemisphere: unknown lands, unknown peoples, unknown treasures. Covering the period from 1494 to roughly the mid-eighteenth century, it outlines the events that helped shape the world we live in today.
This is not the sort of history I really enjoy reading; it was interesting, but not riveting. But I highly recommend it for any reader who is a true history buff.
July 10, 2015
Stephen R. Bown is one of those generalist authors who focuses on historical events or stories and makes them come alive. 1494 is a great melange of historic tales and personalities tied together by the theme of the Treaty of Tordesillas, when Pope Alexander VI divided the world between Spain and Portugal. This is not a dry read, but an engaging one with chapters on Queen Elizabeth's famous privateer (Francis Drake), the Spanish Ferdinand and Isabella's piety that led Europe into one of the world's bloodiest periods of religious wars, and the most enthralling tellings of Columbus' discoveries in the New World I have yet to read...and has motivated me to go on to read Silvio Bedini's The Christopher Columbus Encyclopedia.
In short, the perfect easy-to-read book for someone interested in the stories and lives of the men and women who made 15-16C history--and in my mind a great gift for anyone who thinks history is boring...because how can the story of mankind not be incredibly fascinating, especially when it includes such heroes and villains as you'll find within the pages of 1494.
In short, the perfect easy-to-read book for someone interested in the stories and lives of the men and women who made 15-16C history--and in my mind a great gift for anyone who thinks history is boring...because how can the story of mankind not be incredibly fascinating, especially when it includes such heroes and villains as you'll find within the pages of 1494.
January 22, 2013
An admittedly "big picture" book by a Canadian author, "1494" is a fun, quick, interesting read that introduces a set of historical events that few readers may know. The book sketches the rise of the Portuguese and Spanish overseas empires, the clashes between the ruling (and related) houses of the two countries, and the creation of the papal bull and associated treaty that attempted to divide the "new" world into exclusive Portuguese and Spanish zones. The book then turns its attention to describing the challenges to that system brought by other countries, notably England and Holland, and the rise of international laws regarding the use of the seas. "1494" is concisely written and provides wonderful character portraits of such historical figures as Queen Isabella of Castile, Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan, Francis Drake, and Hugo Grotius, among others. While professional historians may disagree with elements of the book, I found it to be an enjoyable and informative general history that was marred only by some unfortunate formatting problems in the e-book edition.
November 2, 2014
First and foremost, I enjoyed the begging of the book it was very interesting to read about Isabella and Ferdinand and the struggle they faced before and after their marriage. I also enjoyed reading about Columbus voyages to the Indian ocean and details on the discovery of America. it got a bit confusing to me at the end. I think because i was rushing it throw and trying to finish the book so i can start writing my history paper, but none the less this book is very educational. I have learned so much about the division of the world and about the history of Spain and Portugal, actually the history of Europe in general.I would happily recommend this book to any one who wants a more detailed info on the history of Spain and Portugal and how the division changed our world today.
August 6, 2012
A really interesting historical read about how Spain and Portugal managed to control so much of the "known" world, the role of the Pope, and the monarchs, and more. It really set a lot of background for me to what I knew - and not a lot - and remembered about the slave trade, and other information. Since traveling to Spain several years ago, I've had an interest in learning how Spain become a world power and is hardly considered by many today even worth a tourist trip. This is well-written, and enjoyable. I have a inkling that true historians would find fault with it; but for the rest of us, if the topic interests you, I think you'll actually find it a fascinating page turner.
November 3, 2013
A solid concise thesis, a concise story well told, and an excellent analysis of a specific series of decisions that lead to a monumental impact on the world. I had my eye on this one for a long time, and it didn't fail to live up to expectations. I especially appreciated the succinct summary of the Borgias...one that didn't require a biblical-length text in its own right.
May 18, 2022
The effects of the
Treaty of Tordesillas
On world history.
Treaty of Tordesillas
On world history.
March 3, 2019
1494 is a popular history book done right. The first third is about the royal families of Spain and Portugal as they plunge into a true tale of romance, spies, assassinations, and civil war. It would be an awesome fantasy book, but it's real life. The second third is about the exploration of the seas and the discovery of new water ways and continents. Larger than life explorers take on herculean voyages at sea in search of glory and riches, only to end up furthering brutal expansion and exploitation. The third book is the fallout. As Spain and Portugal have neatly figured out how to benefit from the new world, the rest of the world wants in and piracy and war erupt.
Instead of just presenting the historical facts in a dry textbook manner, the stories are laid out so you can follow and attach to these historical figures. Instead of Ferdinand and Isabella being some old kings they become characters you root for. And still the book maintains it's credibility as it does not make things up but presents facts and opinions of historians accurately.
If you have an interest in seeing how Europe was formed and how these kingdoms jockeyed for power, I think you'll really like this book. If you want to read of the fascinating voyages taken by Vasco De Gama, Magellan, Columbus , and Francis Drake pick it up.
Instead of just presenting the historical facts in a dry textbook manner, the stories are laid out so you can follow and attach to these historical figures. Instead of Ferdinand and Isabella being some old kings they become characters you root for. And still the book maintains it's credibility as it does not make things up but presents facts and opinions of historians accurately.
If you have an interest in seeing how Europe was formed and how these kingdoms jockeyed for power, I think you'll really like this book. If you want to read of the fascinating voyages taken by Vasco De Gama, Magellan, Columbus , and Francis Drake pick it up.
January 19, 2017
I love to read about this time of history, the time Portugal was the center of europe, of the world, with great minds and great rulers. Also, I'm always interested to read what foreign people have to say about portuguese history. Portugal is an important piece of history that seems to be forgotten by everyone, it's sad really. Portugal made so many discoveries, gave new worlds to the world, and some people don't even know Portugal is an independent country from Spain.
I detected minor mistakes in this book that were so basic.. like in the map, in my edition, it says the Canary islands are on the middle of the atlantic ocean, that's Azores.. And Ferdinand's father, on the first pages is D.Juan III and D. Juan VI, and he was D.Juan II.
Also, the author could have said that Infante D.Henrique may have felt guilty because he traded his younger brother's life, D. Fernando, in Ceuta, for the lifes of the portuguese army, and left his brother to die in Africa, waiting for the portuguese to give back ceuta, which they never did.
I was expecting a little more stories about Vasco da Gama's trip to India, or Pedro Álvares Cabral's discovery of Brasil, but, anyway, it was a pleasant read and i learnt and remembered some interesting things.
I detected minor mistakes in this book that were so basic.. like in the map, in my edition, it says the Canary islands are on the middle of the atlantic ocean, that's Azores.. And Ferdinand's father, on the first pages is D.Juan III and D. Juan VI, and he was D.Juan II.
Also, the author could have said that Infante D.Henrique may have felt guilty because he traded his younger brother's life, D. Fernando, in Ceuta, for the lifes of the portuguese army, and left his brother to die in Africa, waiting for the portuguese to give back ceuta, which they never did.
I was expecting a little more stories about Vasco da Gama's trip to India, or Pedro Álvares Cabral's discovery of Brasil, but, anyway, it was a pleasant read and i learnt and remembered some interesting things.
October 24, 2018
Livro para um “generalista interessado em conhecimento de história”
O termo “generalista interessado em conhecimento de história” foi retirado do livro no capítulo das ‘fontes’. Achei interessante o autor destacar que o livro foi concebido por um escritor não especialista para pessoas que querem entender mais da história sem ter que se debruçar em estudos formais e detalhados como ocorrem nas universidades.
E, sim, o autor é bem sucedido em focar e ligar fatos e pessoas muito importantes da época. O livro é de fácil leitura e em algumas horas, divertido.
Acho que a maior virtude deste e outros livros, como a série 1808, 1824 e 1889, é a de despertar nas pessoas a curiosidade pela história. O que a maioria de nós aprendeu nas escolas foi insuficiente e/ou contaminado por visões ideológicas. Devemos procurar saber ‘todos’ os fatos e pontos de vista dos agentes envolvidos no contexto de época. E não atual. Na escola aprendi a julgar o passado com valores contemporâneos. O que foi um erro grosseiro.
O termo “generalista interessado em conhecimento de história” foi retirado do livro no capítulo das ‘fontes’. Achei interessante o autor destacar que o livro foi concebido por um escritor não especialista para pessoas que querem entender mais da história sem ter que se debruçar em estudos formais e detalhados como ocorrem nas universidades.
E, sim, o autor é bem sucedido em focar e ligar fatos e pessoas muito importantes da época. O livro é de fácil leitura e em algumas horas, divertido.
Acho que a maior virtude deste e outros livros, como a série 1808, 1824 e 1889, é a de despertar nas pessoas a curiosidade pela história. O que a maioria de nós aprendeu nas escolas foi insuficiente e/ou contaminado por visões ideológicas. Devemos procurar saber ‘todos’ os fatos e pontos de vista dos agentes envolvidos no contexto de época. E não atual. Na escola aprendi a julgar o passado com valores contemporâneos. O que foi um erro grosseiro.
April 21, 2020
A fascinating and complicated story of the family struggle between the King of Portugal, Isabella of Castile, and Ferdinand of Aragon, as result of which was Columbus sailing for Spain in 1492 rather than Portugal. Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia, who later became Pope, was a Spaniard from Aragonese nobility, and was deeply involved in the story, and eventually in negotiating the Treaty of Tordesillas, which divided the world into a Spanish half and a Portuguese half.
You will want to keep a scorecard to identify the players.
You will want to keep a scorecard to identify the players.
December 22, 2018
A quick 'n dirty overview of the age of discovery. Does a good job balancing the historical narrative with modern criticism. Piqued my interest in reading biographies about Henry the Navigator, Isabella of Castile, Ferninand Magellan and Francis Drake (I've already read books about the Borgias, Columbus, Cabot and Vespucci).
May 24, 2024
Dear Confused Me,
GoodReads is messing with your mind. Now I'm here to tell you, you have definitely read this book. You enjoyed it and would be up to reading more from this author.
May 24, 2024
GoodReads is messing with your mind. Now I'm here to tell you, you have definitely read this book. You enjoyed it and would be up to reading more from this author.
May 24, 2024
April 24, 2022
A fascinating account of Pope Alexander VI’s decision to draw an imaginary line from the North Pole to the south, dividing the right of global exploration between Spain and Portugal, and the repercussions it had on early Spanish, Portuguese, English and Dutch exploration.
November 15, 2023
You know the saying, "I could write a book about what I don't know about...." that applies to my knowledge of anything in this book. It was very interesting, well written, and compelling. I've learned so much my head may explode.
August 12, 2024
Very interesting. We’ve been to Santa Fe near Granada, and saw the markers to Columbus’ meeting with Ferdinand and Isabella…All the history around Portugal and Spain, and the tie-in of Alexander VI, the Borgia pope, was quite interesting, as was the following material.
March 13, 2017
It was interesting to read this book after having recent been immersed in the Hillary Mantel's Wolf Hall. It gave me added perspective on the state of church involvement in the dynasties of Western Europe.
April 16, 2016
This book started as a compelling, fascinating view into 15th century Spain and Portugal. When I got 2/3s of the way through the book, however, it started losing me. This is the point where the author continues into the late 1500s, how Spain's economy became wrecked, as it were, by dependence on gold and silver from New Spain, how the colonies in the New World had to buy everything at exorbitant prices from Spain, how this led to piracy, defiance of the authority of the Catholic church, and so forth. But I thought the focus had come rather far from the really interesting story with which tje book begins of the determined 17 year old Isabella, the 18 year old Ferdinand, the corrupt Pope Alexander II (Rodrigo Borgia) who actually drew the line that divided the world in two, the greedy and somewhat mad Christopher Columbus, and a lot of other fascinating characters.
I almost got the feeling that the publishers told the author 220 pages weren't enough...can you keep this story going for about a hundred more pages? --- because at that point it seemed that the line dividing the world in half had become pretty much ignored, especially when Philip II took over the rule of Portugal after Sebastian II was killed in 1578 (in the Battle of the Three Kings in Morocco, by the way, which the author doesn't bother going into).
So the first 200 pages, really interesting; after that, less so. For that, maybe three and a half stars.
I almost got the feeling that the publishers told the author 220 pages weren't enough...can you keep this story going for about a hundred more pages? --- because at that point it seemed that the line dividing the world in half had become pretty much ignored, especially when Philip II took over the rule of Portugal after Sebastian II was killed in 1578 (in the Battle of the Three Kings in Morocco, by the way, which the author doesn't bother going into).
So the first 200 pages, really interesting; after that, less so. For that, maybe three and a half stars.
December 1, 2012
I picked this one up at my library because I fancied some history and it just looked a bit intriguing. I made a great choice with this one!
It is definitely a real history book. You need to understand a bit of European history, particularly Tudor-era history, to really get to grips with it, but for me it's a wonderful book that links Columbus, Sir Francis Drake, sugar, slaves, cinnamon, pepper, and popes all together in one very well-written general history, and in the process explains why Indonesian food is so popular in the Netherlands, why Brazilians speak Portuguese (and why no one else in South America does), whether people really did think the world was flat and why the West Indies are called that. I understood that Columbus didn't really discover "America", but didn't really know why he was so applauded, nor did I really understand why the Spanish, with all their cartloads of gold, actually started a long decline not long after the Armada. Now, I do.
I particularly enjoyed the writing style, which makes honest and fairly frequent use of other quoted sources, but flows beautifully, and really gives some wonderful descriptions of the people involved in the discoveries and decisions which seem mundane today, but which amazed the "advanced" world.
Really enjoyed this book. 5 stars. Well-worth a read for closet history-buffs.
It is definitely a real history book. You need to understand a bit of European history, particularly Tudor-era history, to really get to grips with it, but for me it's a wonderful book that links Columbus, Sir Francis Drake, sugar, slaves, cinnamon, pepper, and popes all together in one very well-written general history, and in the process explains why Indonesian food is so popular in the Netherlands, why Brazilians speak Portuguese (and why no one else in South America does), whether people really did think the world was flat and why the West Indies are called that. I understood that Columbus didn't really discover "America", but didn't really know why he was so applauded, nor did I really understand why the Spanish, with all their cartloads of gold, actually started a long decline not long after the Armada. Now, I do.
I particularly enjoyed the writing style, which makes honest and fairly frequent use of other quoted sources, but flows beautifully, and really gives some wonderful descriptions of the people involved in the discoveries and decisions which seem mundane today, but which amazed the "advanced" world.
Really enjoyed this book. 5 stars. Well-worth a read for closet history-buffs.
February 8, 2014
Ótimo livro sobre o período das grandes navegações, traz um bom panorama do período com destaque para a unificação da Espanha e as viagens de Cristóvão Colombo e Fernão de Magalhães. Também traz uma reflexão interessante sobre a como divisão do mundo pelo por uma bula papal entre apenas dois países da cristandade européia pode ter sido um fator importante no sucesso da reforma protestante nos demais países da Europa. O livro peca um pouco por dar muito mais destaque sobre fatos ocorridos na Espanha em detrimento dos ocorridos em Portugal. Um bom complemento pra quem gostar do tema seria Guerra Santa que traz um pouco mais do lado português. Outras boas leituras complementares seriam Hernán Cortez: civilizador ou genocida? e Inquisição: O reinado do medo.
April 22, 2012
Mr. Bown gives us a good "wide angle" view of the love/hate relationship that Spain and Portugal developed prior to Columbus's first voyage to the New World. He explains how internal dynastic struggles and corrupt popes contributed to these two nations actually dividing the world between them. Yep, they actually drew up up a treaty and had it blessed by Rodrigo Borgia. Portugal got most of the East half and Spain the West.
I especially enjoyed his description of Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe and all of the adventures associated with that voyage. Bown also provides a reading list for those of us who want to delve deeper into the lifes of the various monarchs and explorers who made their mark during the Age of Exploration.
I especially enjoyed his description of Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe and all of the adventures associated with that voyage. Bown also provides a reading list for those of us who want to delve deeper into the lifes of the various monarchs and explorers who made their mark during the Age of Exploration.
August 5, 2012
An awesome read on the power of the Pope and the Roman seat of power during 15th century Europe - specifically Spain and Portugal. A great historical story detailing how Pope Alexander divided the world in half and how England and other countries became Protestant in order to bypass the Papal Bull that gave half the world to Spain and the other to Portugal without having the inconvenience of being excommunicated by
the Roman Catholic church.
Dispels a lot of misconception regarding who really discovered Northern and Southern America, who settled where when all was said and done and when these events actually occurred and how it was all made possible by the feud between Portugal and Spain.
the Roman Catholic church.
Dispels a lot of misconception regarding who really discovered Northern and Southern America, who settled where when all was said and done and when these events actually occurred and how it was all made possible by the feud between Portugal and Spain.
December 29, 2013
I'm on the fence as to what to give this - a 3 or a 4. On the one hand it's engaging and fascinating, but on the other it is a bit fluffy. I could have done with a little more detail, footnoting and maps. The last point in particular bogged me. A book about the age of exploration with ONLY ONE MAP. Weak.
If you have an interest in figures like Columbus, Isabella and Magellan,as well as the treaty that divided the world between the two superpowers of the late 15th century and how that shaped geopolitics up to even recently this is certainly a good introduction. But if you want to really get into the history of the period, you'll want to pick up something else to supplement or instead of this.
If you have an interest in figures like Columbus, Isabella and Magellan,as well as the treaty that divided the world between the two superpowers of the late 15th century and how that shaped geopolitics up to even recently this is certainly a good introduction. But if you want to really get into the history of the period, you'll want to pick up something else to supplement or instead of this.
January 14, 2014
A carefully written text on the tumultuous events in the Iberian peninsula and the world's oceans during the 15th century. These events, including Columbus's "discovery" of America, dramatically changed the course of world history, but were largely set in motion by the decision of a young Spanish woman of high birth to decide her own future and defy the wishes of her family. Also, pivotal in setting history's course, were the unbelievable, in today's terms, and arrogant actions of a number of popes is dividing up the known, and unknown world into various areas of ownership and subjugation. There is a message here for today's political actors on the world's stage about how apparently innocent and seemingly contained local decisions can have hugely dramatic and devastating global results.
October 6, 2014
This book is a very readable overview of this period in history. It could easily have been two or three times longer than it was and that may or may not have been a good thing. I really did enjoy reading this book. There is an extensive list of suggested reading at the end of the book. I'm looking forward to checking out some of those sources to get more details.
August 11, 2016
I would give the first half of this book a 4 and the second half 2. The first half was very informative and interesting, the second half got boring and weighed down. I will also echo what some are saying about maps. Considering the importance of the Spice Island exact placement it would have been nice to have them labelled on the map.
March 5, 2012
The book is really about the events leading up to the division of the world into "Portuguese" and "Spanish" possessions by the Pope and then to the consequences of that event. So the second half of the book discusses the exploratory travels funded by other countries and the wars that resulted.
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