1434: The year a magnificent Chinese fleet sailed to Italy and ushered in the Renaissance

Renowned author Gavin Menzies, of the bestselling 1421, now offers 1434: The Year a Magnificent Chinese Fleet Sailed to Italy and Ushered in the Renaissance, another stunning reappraisal of history. This time, the author presents new evidence linking the roots of the European Renaissance to 15th-century Chinese explorations. Based on years of research, Menzies raises crucial questions: was a Chinese expedition to Italy in 1434, including official ambassadors from the emperor, the precursor to a vast collection of knowledge? Among these are art, geography (including world maps, which were passed on to Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan), astronomy, mathematics, printing, architecture, ironworks, and military weaponry. And did this influence spread across Europe and give rise to the legendary inventiveness of the Renaissance, including the genius of Da Vinci, Copernicus, Galileo, and many others?