1421 — The Year China Discovered America, Gavin Menzies

I picked up 1421 on the recommendation of my good friend Craig.  The book's subtitle makes the astounding proposition that China discovered America some seven decades before Columbus. 

The book's author, Gavin Menzies, is a retired Royal Navy submarine captain. who was born in China. After retirement he uses his love of history, knowledge of China and experience as a blue  water sailor to develop his theory. Menzies is an amateur who understandably has raised the ire of many professional historians. 

Menzies begins with the voyages of China's great 15th century admiral, Zheng He. What is known for certain is that Zheng He assembled the largest fleet the world had ever known and that they set out on an epic voyage of discovery. The other certainty is that following Zheng's voyages a new regime took over. China turned in on itself and all records of the voyages were destroyed.

The dis-oriented author is pleased to note that Menzies points out that when women in the west were practically living in caves — Chines (oriental) women were wearing jade, pearls and silk underwear.

Menzies looks at several areas to make his case. Among them, pre-Columbian maps, propagation of endemic plant species, prevailing winds and currents, linguistic clues, archeology and DNA.

Menzies points out that several pre-Columbian maps accurately depict the coast of  North and South America. Other maps appear to show Australia, Greenland and islands in the Caribbean, all before Columbus.

The book suggests that several Chinese colonies were left in the new world. Menzies does not provide irrefutable proof but he does have some strong circumstantial evidence. Menzies has a writing style that is easy to read.

My only complaint is that the books should have more plates, maps and illustrations. There are several places where I read about a map or an artifact and was disappointed because it was not pictured on the next page. I am looking forward to seeing the PBS series, perhaps it will fill in the visual gaps.

This book challenged many of the assumptions I've held all my life — it really made me think

1421 gets 4 of 5 dis-oriented smileys

Purchase 1421 from Amazon.com.