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SPSP is planning to publish a second book next year. The Black Ships will tell the story of the creation of the Portuguese Empire, the first global empire and the first of the European empires that have dominated the globe for as long as there has been a global civilisation.
The crucible that forged Portuguese sea power was the medieval conflict between Christians and Muslims for control of the Mediterranean. To be sure, the Muslims had been pushed out of the Iberian Peninsula, but as the 15th century wore on, a new and dangerous foe had emerged at the other end of the Mediterranean – the Ottomans.
This is ancient history, but it has contemporary relevance because, for the first time in a long time, the settlement that the Portuguese achieved is being called into question. China, Indonesia, India and Brazil are all emerging from poverty and, barring a catastrophe, will be able to offer their citizens the same standard of living as those living in the developed world.
The most urgent question in modern geo-politics is: What difference will it make when China and India flex their economic might? At least part of the answer might be found in the way in which Europeans became masters of the world. The Black Ships will tell that story.
