Tag Archives: Islam

Why Vasco da Gama of Portugal Sailed Around Africa to India

Book Cover: The Last Crusade (Portugal) Destination: Portugal and Explorations to India

Book: The Last Crusade: The Epic Voyages of Vasco da Gama by Nigel Cliff (Previously published as Holy War)

“Master, if you know the sea is crazy and has no brain, why do you venture upon it?” African man to a priest from Portugal who lands on the African coast, according to The Last Crusade.

A friend recently told me that she was looking for a different kind of history book. She wanted one that covered several periods, but built around a single theme with interesting characters and action like a novel. The Last Crusade: The Epic Voyages of Vasco da Gama, famous explorer from Portugal in the late 15th and early 16th century fills the bill. Continue reading Why Vasco da Gama of Portugal Sailed Around Africa to India

Women of Islam in Book and Performance

Arabian Eyes

Destination: Middle East Book: Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women by Geraldine Brooks
“Almighty God created sexual desire in ten parts, then he gave nine parts to women and one to men.”  –Ali ibn Abu Taleb, husband of Muhammad’s daughtger Fatima and founder of the Shite sect of Islam.

 The Frontispiece of Nine Parts of Desire Continue reading Women of Islam in Book and Performance