Spice: The 16th Century Contest that Shaped Modern World - Roger Crowley

[Xerxes]

I would recommend this book for its sweeping historical narrative centring around spice trade in Asia. 

 

I have read all of Roger Crowley book. His work excels when looking at historical arc, but works less when he focuses on specific topic. For instance his work on siege of Constantinople and his other book on siege of Acre, was a tad boring. 
 

In contrast, his work on Venice, and the other book shown above were memorable to me. This specific book is a new one that got published. 
 

When you read the second half of the book you realize how important manufacturing capacity of China was to the world in 16th century, before its fall. How silver was important to facilitate that trade. How the giant silver mine (Potosi) found in Americas were important to source the silver, how “traders” and then-nation-sponsored-Glencore of the world were important to lubricant the system. 
 

Here are some passages from the book:

 

 

[Xerxes]

Establishment of Manila :

 

[Xerxes]

Potosi-China-Silver

 

 

Edited December 20, 2025 by Xerxes

[Xerxes]

The obliquity of porcelain 
 

[Lazarus]

Cool. My wife loves historical books like this and her birthday is coming up - which book would you recommend of out of: Spice, City of Conquerors (Venice), and Conquerors?