1421: Chapter 11

With this chapter I have passed the 300 page mark in this book. However, I would like to continue reading it after the assignment is due. The beginning of this chapter took me all the way back to when the Chinese fleet first reached the Americas from the east. All the ships discussed up to this point travelled down the coast of South America. However, now the book has retraced its steps and is discussing the travels of the part of the fleet that travelled north. At this point in time specifically, Gavin is describing the method that was used to chart the Caribbean. Thus far in the novel, a bit of a pattern has been established. The author has gone back and proven the courses of these Chinese explorations by use of maps, legends, ship wrecks, stone markers, and many other things as well. After these routes are established, it seems that quite often that a later explorer (often the ones we learn about in classrooms) follow those same routes by use of maps and more importantly currents. Once again, this is believed to be the case in the Caribbean. The Chinese had a tendency to follow the current wherever it took them, and this is exactly what Columbus did as well. In his case, when they met the locals, there were stories of earlier outside visitors like Columbus and his men. It is very probable that these men were the Chinese sailors of the great exploration undertaken by Zheng He. Like the Chinese mapping technique used everywhere else, ships were sent out in enormous amounts to map an area. When they came to an island, several ships went to one side while other went to the other side. This method allowed them to map both sides of the island at the same time and cut the amount of time in half... just another way the Chinese proved how advanced they were in seafaring and navigation. Other evidence included the fact that there was iron materials among the natives when the first Europeans arrived. At first, I did not find this very interesting at all, and wondered how it proved anything. However, I soon discovered that Central America is very well known for being one of the few spots on Earth that contains no iron deposits whatsoever. This supports Gavin's thesis very well. Although it was a semi-difficult read, this book has proven to be one of my favorites of the year. It was so different, almost like a science fiction novel, but yet there is evidence to support the theory it is real. Upon reaching my desired number of pages, the author Gavin Menzies has already convinced me that the Chinese had made these voyages. I greatly hope that someday he is able to verify his ideas with credible sources and one day we will all be able to see history rewritten. The Chinese definitely deserve to be commended on undeniably one of their greatest accomplishments ever.