Louise Levathes

Free from the library.
Excellent!
Very interesting and easy to read.
Lots of cool information told more like a story than a recitation of facts.

Very interesting book. Seems well documented, but I would like to see a more recent book on the same topic.

An in-depth look at how the voyages of the earlier Ming Ruler covered the Indian Ocean and reached the East Coast of Africa. Certainly not so sensationalist as "1421" and the following books on this theme, but factual and informative about a shining moment in exploration, and a warning of how short-term politics can permanently warp a scientific community and the life of a major Civilization.

A very readable history book, focused on the impact of China's imperial fleet in Asia and abroad, but also telling the story of the Emperor's friendship with a Eunuch who had served him from childhood, and went on to be trusted with the treasure fleet, returning to China with tribute and reports of favourable negotiations.