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I got my first book in the mail! It's called:

Portugal's Golden Years "The life and times of Prince Henry 'The Navigator'" by Carlos B. Carreiro, published by Dorrance Publishing Company.

Despite the wordy heft of the title, this book was one of the easiest non fiction works I have ever read. It's a very informal biography of Portugal's Prince Henry "The Navigator," lacking footnotes or any other formal citation except a selected bibliography. Instead, it reads more like a story of a knight on an adventure of discovery. Prince Henry was a pioneer in marine navigation and set a tone of inspiration and possibility for future explorers such as Columbus, de Gama, and Magellan.

Portugal's Golden Years adds detail and insight about international politics and influences in such a way that the reader sees a full and intimate portrait of Prince Henry while strolling at a leisurely pace through 16th century Portugal. While any biography can list a person's lineage and accomplishments, here you will discover what kind of man was "The Navigator," both as prince and explorer. The author extends this the biography far beyond the character's single lifetime by exploring the repercussions in a timeline that extends to the present.

The author declared a hope that this book would inspire pride in fellow Portuguese around the world, and I think he succeeded. I really felt like I had gained a familiarity with Prince Henry and the history of Portugal after reading this book. I wish all history books were this much fun to read!

You can find the paperback book or the e-book edition by visiting the publisher's bookstore.
FTC find print:
I received a complimentary copy of Portugal's Golden Years as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.

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