History

The Chronicle of the Discovery and Conquest of Guinea (Vol. 1&2) (Annotated)

Enriched Edition. Complete EditionBy Gomes Eannes de Zurara

Listen with Sir Michael Caine™ and 1,000+ voices

Try for $0.00 Get for $2

Length23h 21m

About this audiobook

The Chronicle of the Discovery and Conquest of Guinea (Vol. 1&2) records the first sustained Portuguese ventures down the West African coast under Prince Henry, narrating voyages, raids, encounters, and the emergence of Atlantic commerce. Zurara's prose combines annalistic precision with chivalric exaltation, providential interpretation, and ethnographic curiosity, placing maritime expansion within the late-medieval crusading imagination. Its pages are indispensable yet troubling witnesses to exploration, violence, enslavement, and the making of imperial ideology. Gomes Eannes de Zurara, royal chronicler and keeper of the Portuguese archives, wrote in the mid-fifteenth century as successor to Fernão Lopes and servant of the Avis court. His proximity to official records and aristocratic patrons shaped a narrative that celebrates Prince Henry and Portuguese arms while revealing the anxieties, ambitions, and moral contradictions of a kingdom turning seaward. Readers interested in medieval historiography, Atlantic history, colonial beginnings, or the rhetoric of empire will find this chronicle essential. It should be read critically, not as neutral reportage, but as a foundational document whose literary artistry and ideological force illuminate how Europe imagined Africa, conquest, and itself at the dawn of oceanic expansion. This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience. - A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes. - The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists. - A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing. - A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings. - Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life. - Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance. - Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

Exploration Royalty & Courts Journey Adventure Political Intrigue War & Battle Hero Epic Quest