Portuguese Seaborne Empire, 1415-1825 (University Library) - Tapa dura

Charles R. Boxer was perhaps the great English-language authority on the Portuguese discoveriesy, and a wonderful writer as well. He was himself a very colorful character who lived vividly and knew how to tell a lively story. He wrote more than 300 books and articles but this is the one of broadest general interest. There was no one better qualified to bring alive the amazing story of tiny Portugal's epic of exploration and conquest.