Zarco, the Explorer

by K. Norel, James C. van Oosterom (Translator)

One summer day, the country lad Zarco hears a traveling minstrel sing the ballad of Prince Henry the Navigator, patron of far-flung journeys of discovery. Inspired by the bard, Zarco dreams of adventure at sea. At last, with his father's permission and the support of the great Pero de Alquemar, Zarco signs on as mate apprentice aboard the fleet of the famous Bartholomew Diaz who discovers the Cape of Good Hope. Under Vasco de Gama, Zarco later sails to India. Zarco's adventures are stories of courage and perseverance, but also of fear and superstition, of hunger, illness and dreadful danger. And Zarco must face difficult questions: Are other nations not entitled to their freedom? Why should Portuguese merchants grow fat and rich while the seamen who have served them, and the widows and orphans of dead seamen live in grinding poverty? Zarco experiences the problems of colonial empires, problems that will change and shape history for centuries . . .

190 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Pen name of Klaas Norel