This tells the story of the spice trade in the 16th century and the desperate race between the Dutch and English to control the Spice Islands. It makes for a gripping tale - lots of grisly detail about the awful punishments that were doled out on board ship and the hardships the sailors had to endure, assuming they survived the journey. I'll never take a jar of nutmeg for granted again.
(Caroline Winstanley - bwl 15 October 2002 ) |
