Leyssandra reviewed Boundless Sea by David Abulafia
None
5 stars
The history of the Oceans is really a history of our world connected. From the traders off the coast of India over 4000 years ago, to the Eastern seas with their enterprising Korean traders, powerful Chinese fleets, and the pitiful Japanese shipbuilding (seriously, they lost so many ships!), to the Polynesians settling across the entire Pacific with little but knowledge passed from generation to generation, and yes, of course to the succession of European powers extracting and enslaving their way around the world, the seas have connected peoples from every corner of the globe. Well written, and despite an almost excess of all encompassing detail, Abulafia still managing to make each section concise and engaging. A must read on the history shelf!
