Chapter 2, In Search of Spices and Souls Summary

European countries move out by sea and land to explore the unknown reaches of the world in what is known as the "Age of Discovery." Tales of remote and fabulous places gradually filter back to European countries through their far eastern contacts with the Arabs. Tales from Marco Polo speak of the riches in China and India. The Asian spice trade takes off in Europe and creates a demand for a viable route to the Far East.

Portuguese Prince Henry has a dream of his countries dominance in Far East trade. He aggressively works for forty years to send out sea voyages. His men create a type of light exploration vessel called the caravel. The Portuguese explore the West African coast and soon round the continent itself in 1487. Upon Columbus's discovery...