A World Lit Only by Fire

This book deals about the time of the renaissance, roughly from 1432 to 1600. The characters and life history of e.g. Erasmus but also that of Henry the 8th are discussed in an extensive way. The reason for Henry to quit with Rome is explained in relation with his divorce from Catherina of Aragaon.
The famous voyage of Magelaen around the south cape of America cape Horn, his treasureous death on the Philipines is painted out in a dramatic way.