The brilliance of the Renaissance laid the foundation of the modern world. Textbooks tell us that it came about as a result of a rediscovery of the ideas and ideals of classical Greece and Rome. But now bestselling historian Gavin Menzies makes the startling argument that in the year 1434, China—then the world's most technologically advanced civilization—provided the spark that set the European Renaissance ablaze. From that date onward, Europeans embraced Chinese intellectual ideas, discoveries, and inventions, all of which form the basis of western civilization today.

Florence and Venice of the early fifteenth century were hubs of world trade, attracting traders from across the globe. Based on years of research, this marvelous history argues that a Chinese fleet—official ambassadors of the emperor—arrived in Tuscany in 1434, where they were received by Pope Eugenius IV in Florence. The delegation presented the influential pope with a wealth of Chinese learning from a diverse range of fields: art, geography (including world maps that were passed on to Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan), astronomy, mathematics, printing, architecture, steel manufacturing, military weaponry, and more. This vast treasure trove of knowledge spread across Europe, igniting the legendary inventiveness of the Renaissance, including the work of such geniuses as da Vinci, Copernicus,Galileo, and more.

In 1434, Gavin Menzies combines this long-overdue historical reexamination with the excitement of an investigative adventure. He brings the reader aboard the remarkable Chinese fleet as it sails from China to Cairo and Florence, and then back across the world. Erudite and brilliantly reasoned, 1434 will change the way we see ourselves, our history, and our world.

英国皇家海军退伍军官。1937年生于伦敦，几个月后被父母带到中国。第二次世界大战爆发后，回到英国。1953年加入英国皇家海军；1957年在“钻石”号驱逐舰上服役于地中海海域；1959年，在“纽芬兰”号上担任航海指挥官，服役于远东海域；1960年，调到“决心”号战略导弹核潜艇，任作战官；1968年，担任“鳁鲸”号潜艇艇长，被授予海军中校军衔，执行全球航行访问任务。在皇家海军的服役期间，他曾率舰沿着伟大的航海家哥伦布、迪亚斯、卡布拉尔和达·伽马的航线行遍世界。退伍之后，他曾多次走访中国与亚洲各国，专注于研究郑和率领的中国舰队先于欧洲航海家发现新大陆的传奇旅程。