Nathaniel's Nutmeg

This captivating tale recounts how English adventurer Nathaniel Courthope's daring quest for nutmeg in the East Indies led to England's acquisition of Manhattan and the rise of the British Empire.

Nathaniel's Nutmeg recounts the captivating tale of how England came to acquire Manhattan in the seventeenth century. This 25th anniversary edition includes a new foreword by William Dalrymple, highlighting the enduring significance of this story. The narrative centers on the daring exploits of English adventurer Nathaniel Courthope, who embarked on a secret mission to the island of Run in the East Indies in 1616. His objective was to secure a monopoly over the highly sought-after nutmeg, a spice that was immensely valuable at the time.

Courthope's mission, however, did not go unchallenged. The Dutch, intent on maintaining control over the world's nutmeg supply, were infuriated by his actions. For five grueling years, Courthope and his small band of thirty men faced relentless siege from a vastly larger Dutch force. Their struggle and Courthope's unwavering bravery set off a chain of events that would ultimately lead to England's ownership of Manhattan, paving the way for the establishment of New York and the expansion of the British Empire.

Beautifully written, Nathaniel's Nutmeg is celebrated as a modern classic that captures the spirit of adventure, ambition, and exploration. It invites readers to immerse themselves in this historical narrative, revealing how one man's determination changed the course of history and contributed to the rise of an empire.