Indian Ocean

In April 2013 a global breaking news story surfaced on social media and in the world press and rapidly gathered momentum. A South African man had fallen overboard in the night during a storm in remote Indonesian waters, without anyone else on board realising. Eight hours later a frantic search was underway.

As remarkable as Columbus and the conquistador expeditions, the history of Portuguese exploration is now almost forgotten. But Portugal's navigators cracked the code of the Atlantic winds, launched the expedition of Vasco da Gama to India and beat the Spanish to the spice kingdoms of the East - then set about creating the first long-range maritime empire.

The Ocean at the Centre of the World, a new William Collins book, full description to follow when available...

When did the first humans arrive in India and how did they get here? What are Roman artefacts from hundreds of years ago doing in a town near Puducherry? How did merchants from Arabia end up near Kochi? From the east coast of Africa to Australia, one big blue body of water has connected diverse...

Experience the rise of ancient empires and modern geopolitical conflicts in this sweeping Asian history adventure. Perfect for an immersive commute, this evocative narrative transports armchair travelers to the lush crossroads of the Indian Ocean, where ocean currents, migrating merchants, and...

Journey through East African history as scattered coastal villages transform into wealthy maritime trading empires. Perfect for an immersive daily commute, this evocative narrative reveals how the sea became a bustling highway connecting Africa to Arabia, Persia, and India. Experience the...

Throughout history, the Indian Ocean has been an essential space for trade, commerce, and culture. Every European power has sought to dominate it. Now, after a lull in the postwar period, control of major shipping routes has once again become a critical aspect of every rising state's ambition to be a global power. Darshana M. Baruah shows how governments from Washington, DC, to Nairobi and Canberra are expanding their interests in the region.

The Silk Road may be one origin of globalization, but the Indian Ocean is another. Barry Cunliffe examines the beginning of maritime trade using the evidence of archaeology and the tales of great travelers such as Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta, and the Chinese Admiral, Zheng He. This story complements that of the land routes, showing how humans have been driven across thousands of years to create and maintain networks whatever the difficulties.

Around eight o'clock a.m. on December 26, a massive earthquake registering 9.1-9.3 on the Richter Scale struck off of Sumatra, Indonesia, making it the third strongest earthquake ever recorded by seismographs. On top of that, the earthquake shook for nearly 10 minutes and generated incredibly strong tsunami waves. Thanks to the element of surprise, people in the region had virtually no warning of what was coming. The tsunami waves pulverized entire towns and swept away hundreds of thousands of people across Southeast Asia.

On the world maps common in America, the Western Hemisphere lies front and center, while the Indian Ocean region all but disappears. This convention reveals the geopolitical focus of the now-departed 20th century, but in the 21st century, that focus will fundamentally change. In this pivotal examination of the countries known as “Monsoon Asia”—which include India, Pakistan, China, Indonesia, Burma, Oman, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Tanzania—best-selling author Robert D. Kaplan explains how crucial this dynamic area has become to American power.

Discover the sweeping maritime history of a medieval Indian dynasty that ruled the ancient seas and global trade. Perfect for an immersive commute, this grand historical deep-dive transports you to the vibrant Kaveri delta of early South India. Witness the fierce transformation of a regional...

The transatlantic slave trade was founded by the Portuguese in the 15th century for the specific purpose of supplying the New World colonies with African slave labor. It was soon joined by all the major trading powers of Europe, and it reached its peak in the 18th century with the founding and development of plantation economies that ran from the South American mainland through the Caribbean and into the southern states of the United States. The East African Slave Trade, on the other hand, was more complex, far older, and significantly more widespread.

Uncover the epic maritime history of a forgotten Asian empire that transformed the Indian Ocean through naval supremacy. From the fertile riverine plains of the Kaveri delta to the sprawling trade routes of Southeast Asia, experience a sweeping narrative of ambition and conquest. Perfect for...

Uncover the epic rise and dramatic fall of a forgotten maritime empire that mastered the global spice trade. Journey across the Indonesian archipelago to explore a fascinating thalassocracy that forged its immense power through naval strategy, tribute networks, and absolute control of lucrative...

Uncover the epic African history of global trade, maritime empires, and cultural resilience along the Indian Ocean. Perfect for your daily commute, this immersive journey transforms humble fishing villages into a powerful chain of cosmopolitan city-states. Listen and travel across centuries to...

Experience the epic maritime history of a forgotten dynasty that conquered the medieval Indian Ocean's deadliest tides. Perfect for a focused learning commute, this immersive true story transports you directly into the bustling shipyards and fierce naval battlefields of South India. Feel the...

Experience 2,500 years of sweeping Asian history, where ancient kingdoms rise and powerful trade empires collide. Perfect for your daily commute or armchair travels, this evocative narrative transports you directly to the vibrant shores of the Indian Ocean. Discover how geography, religion, and...

Uncover the forgotten maritime empire that mastered ancient spice routes and forged early global trade across the seas. Perfect for an educational commute, this immersive historical journey transports you to the bustling ports and dangerous straits of ancient Southeast Asia. Discover how a...

Uncover the rise and tragic erasure of a lost African civilization in this sweeping maritime history of ancient empires. Perfect for a long commute or an evening of deep-focus learning, this immersive journey transports you to the bustling shores of the Indian Ocean. Experience the awe-inspiring...

Discover the epic Asian history of a lush island paradise that sparked the rise and fall of maritime empires. Perfect for a focused commute, this immersive narrative sweeps across the Indian Ocean to reveal how a small geographic marvel became the ultimate prize for ambitious conquerors. Let...