1421

The Year China Discovered America

By: Gavin Menzies

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 12 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

On March 8, 1421, the largest fleet the world had ever seen set sail from China. Its mission was to "proceed all the way to the ends of the earth to collect tribute from the barbarians beyond the seas" and unite the whole world in Confucian harmony.

When it returned in October 1423, the emperor had fallen, leaving China in political and economic chaos. The great ships were left to rot at their moorings and the records of their journeys were destroyed. Lost in China's long, self-imposed isolation that followed was the knowledge that Chinese ships had reached America 70 years before Columbus and had circumnavigated the globe a century before Magellan. Also concealed was how the Chinese colonized America before the Europeans and transplanted in America and other countries the principal economic crops that have fed and clothed the world.

Unveiling incontrovertible evidence of these astonishing voyages, 1421 rewrites our understanding of history. Our knowledge of world exploration as it has been commonly accepted for centuries must now be reconceived due to this landmark work of historical investigation.

©2002 Gavin Menzies (P)2014 HarperCollinsPublishers

Wow wow wow! Great book for lovers of history!

People even remotely interested in history and origins will love this book. The peoples of the world of been mixing for so much longer than we ever knew. What a fantastic book.

Fascinating

The evidence sounded convincing to me. This is a very thought-provoking book. Well narrated.

A compelling new way to understand the New World

The author does a fabulous job laying out his evidence for a claim that flies in the face of what every European and American is taught about the Age of Discovery. As it turns out, the famous Spanish and Portuguese explorers seem to have known exactly where they were headed and, in many cases, precisely how to get there. This book is about to whom they were indebted for that knowledge.

While the title and subtitle of a book like this could certainly produce instant skepticism, Mr. Menzies painstakingly brings out a wealth of archaeological, navigational, historical, and DNA evidence to buttress his assertions. For those not familiar with Chinese names, the audiobook can be a little difficult in spots, but the story is gripping and the narration is wonderful. By all means purchase and enjoy this book. I'm looking forward to other titles from this author and other readings by Simon Vance, too.

An argument for Chinese extended exploration.

I bought the book to instruct myself on ancient China. The opening chapters did this. As the book lengthened, I discovered it was more and more an argument that the Chinese Treasure Fleet extended their influence beyond the confines of the Indian Ocean. Interesting and scholarly, to be sure, but missing my objective by a wide margin. That being said, there was information of value. I'm on the fence as to whether in retrospect the book was worth it.

Very good, overall

I enjoyed the historical information. The narration was very good, but a little monolog after a few hours. I think the author could have cut back a tad on the amount of critical self-reflection. We believe you, the Chinese discovered the new world! Sheesh, already.

Fascinating Theory

I thoroughly enjoyed the book 1421 and readily accept significant portions of the book, however there are also many parts of the book that would seem to be pure conjecture - coupling facts and theories that fit his narrative. Clearly the Chinese civilization made some huge accomplishments in areas far sooner than their European counterparts and naval discoveries pertaining to navigation are among them. I found the portions dealing with the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean far more plausible than those proposed in the Atlantic, especially those associated with the North Atlantic. The book really is fascinating and the narration is first rate. I would strongly recommend the book to people who enjoy history and histories mysteries.

Real history! Authentic thoughts!

An amazing read!! Do you want to look at all the evidence and not have evidence hidden because it doesn’t “fit in” with the popular ideas? Well this is a great example of real history and real logic and reason used. Humans have always been knowledgeable. Not all humans are educated. As it is to this day.

Fantastical And lacks evidence

This guy tells a great story. But there are dom opinions and thoughts and claims that just make you think he just made stuff up.

But the core theory is good. Chinese had circumnavigated the world. Had he left it at that it would have been good. But Chinese visited south pole north pole and every little island in 2 years. Ok.

The forbidden city burning is a convenient shield but ifu think about it it’s perfectly possible. Odd weather destroyed British ships near usa in 1812, causing them to lose the war.

So overall pretty good story

Chinese discovers the Americas before the Europeans is the best idea I have ever seen.

I think this is a Brilliant book that came in the perfect timing for the current situation in which I am.

I saw many pictures of indigenous people and met indigenous descents in places of America.

They look Chinese to me. They are like a mixture of Europeans, Asians and Black.

They have Chinese eyes and brown skin which is a mixture of white and black.

But studying genetics we would know better.

Therefore a book of the Genoma project endorsed by the Science Academies around the world would be a trump.

Therefore I think that if it is to go forward we need to correct history.

I think the Europeans should be the Center because they are more beautiful and more intelligent and when they mix with black people it gets to be a beautiful image. So I am for the Status Quo.

But things can get better for everyone if we create a Universe that allows every race to develop well and have its Giselle Bundchën Über Model to open the hearts of the locked out as well as this book for the three Diamonds: Black, White and Yellow.

All these with the purpose to create understanding, acceptance, brotherhood and love to all; besides Science, Prosperity, etc.


So I am very much for this type of history.


Thank you.


I am very appreciative and admirer of people who went outside the comfort zone and had what probably was an intense work to compile all this.

Truth can hurt!

I wrote other reviews and this book needs to be read. Zheng He history and all of it needs to be rediscovered. History needs to be reviewed and rewritten. Give credit where credit is due! The Mings need to be recognized for thwir discoveries. It needs more focus and every historian or to be historians need to address this missing part of history! This is a must read! We all need to open pur eyes!