Nathaniel's Nutmeg, or, The true and incredible adventures of the spice trader who changed the course of history

The tiny island of Run is an insignificant speck in the Indonesian archipelago--remote, tranquil, and, these days, largely ignored. Yet 370 years ago, Run's harvest of nutmeg (yielding a 3,200% profit by the time it arrived in England) made it the most lucrative of the Spice Islands, precipitating a battle between the Dutch East India Company and the British Crown. The outcome was that Britain ceded Run to Holland but in return was given Manhattan--leading to the birth of New York and to the beginning of the British Empire. This deal was due to the persistence of one man: Nathaniel Courthope and his small band of adventurers were sent to Run in October 1616, and held off the Dutch navy for four years. This book centers on the showdown between Courthope and the Dutch Governor General, and the brutal fate of mariners racing to Run to reap the huge profits of the spice trade.--From publisher description.

"The tiny island of Run is an insignificant speck in the middle of the Indonesian archipelago."--BOOK JACKET.

"Yet, 370 years ago, Run's harvest of nutmeg (a pound of which yielded a 3200% profit by the time it arrived in England) turned it into the most lucrative of the Spice Islands, precipitating a battle between the all-powerful Dutch East India Company and the British crown. The outcome of the fighting was one of the most spectacular deals in history: Britain ceded Run to Holland but in return was given Manhattan.

This led not only to the birth of New York but to the beginning of the British Empire."--BOOK JACKET.

"Such a deal was due, in part, to the persistence of one man. Nathaniel Courthope and his small band of adventurers were sent to Run in October 1616 and for four years held off the massive Dutch Navy, Nathaniel's Nutmeg centers on the remarkable showdown between Courthope and the Dutch Governor General, Jan Coen, and the brutal fate of the mariners racing to Run - and the other corners of the globe - to reap the huge profits of the spice trade."--BOOK JACKET.