Try free for 30 days

Listen with a free trial

Free with 30-day trial
1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
Buy Now for $16.38

Buy Now for $16.38

Pay using coupon balance (if available) then card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

In 1616, an English adventurer, Nathaniel Courthope, stepped ashore on a remote island in the East Indies on a secret mission: to persuade the islanders of Run to grant a monopoly to England over their nutmeg, a fabulously valuable spice in Europe. This infuriated the Dutch, who were determined to control the world's nutmeg supply. For five years, Courthope and his band of 30 men were besieged by a force 100 times greater, and his heroism set in motion the events that led to the founding of the greatest city on earth.

A beautifully told adventure story and a fascinating depiction of exploration in the 17th century, Nathaniel's Nutmeg sheds a remarkable light on history.
©1999 Giles Milton (P)2003 Hodder and Stoughton Audiobooks
Business & Careers Asia Great Britain World
Show More Show Less

Critic Reviews

"A magnificent piece of popular history." ( Independent on Sunday)

What listeners say about Nathaniel's Nutmeg

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    11
  • 4 Stars
    4
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    12
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    12
  • 4 Stars
    4
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com.au reviews

Audible.com reviews

Audible.co.uk reviews

Amazon Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Jeremy Williams

Loved it.

Taking my 14yo to Banda to toast the Captain at the spot he was murdered by the filthy Dutch.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Neil Chisholm
  • Neil Chisholm
  • 26-06-2013

The birth of a great company

This is a interesting short history book that leads to the formation of the East India Company. An interesting tale and a good introduction to John Company

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Amazon Customer
  • Amazon Customer
  • 09-04-2016

A Brilliant and Unknown Story in History that shaped today's world as we know it.

A Brilliant and Unknown Story in History that shaped today's world as we know it.
Most likely from limited documentation this story is pieced together for our complete benefit to know the hardships ,brutality and quest for the future that has gone before.
This book should also be a school read .
Thoroughly enjoyable 😀

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for derek
  • derek
  • 10-12-2020

abridged too far

too much detail missed from original, very disappointed. why bother with an abridged version? needs more thought

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for nine8nine
  • nine8nine
  • 22-10-2020

Unconscionably abridged

How has Giles Milton been coerced into releasing this mangled summary of one of his most well-regarded narrative popular histories? Should be much longer and more detailed as the book was.

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Stewart Collingswood
  • Stewart Collingswood
  • 16-01-2020

Great book - Audio version misses some of the best bits

I read the paperback version of this a few years ago. It was captivating and a real insight. I couldn’t put the book down. The Audible version is very good but misses many of the real highlights such as The Dutch torture techniques, the trade with native Americans on Manhattan and the seedy goings on in various ports. That aside still enjoyable but buy the paperback

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User
  • Anonymous User
  • 03-07-2022

Shockingly abridged

If I’d looked that it had been SO massively abridged I wouldn’t have bought it. I’ve read the book and shall do so again.

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for K. Rumph
  • K. Rumph
  • 10-03-2016

Dull and uninformative, casually racist

Having just read the magisterial Silk Roads I was expecting a lighter but informative tale of an interesting bit of economic and regional history, perhaps like 'Longitude'. The spice race is a good topic but despite a lively narrator the text is pedestrian and unimaginative.
Effectively a list of voyages and cargoes, despite using much source material the author was unable to either entertain or inform. Many opportunities to examine the economic history were missed.
Dutch colonial history no doubt deserves criticism but the jingoistic tone of plucky Brits and evil Hollanders is so partial that I couldn't take it seriously. Meanwhile the 'natives' are casually sidelined as colourful background: no attempt to examine - casual racism.
Very disappointed

2 people found this helpful

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.