A Quest for God and Spices

"A grand historical joyride through the medieval world." -David R. Gillham, New York Times bestselling author of City of Women
A Quest for God and Spices begins an epic journey across the ancient world. In the year AD 1200, a new pope agitates for a renewed crusade to reconquer Muslim-controlled Jerusalem. European monarchs largely ignore his call, too involved with squabbles among themselves. The pope chooses two men-Brother Mauro, an older monk, and Nicolo, a young, striving merchant-to traverse the treacherous political, religious, and mercantile terrain of medieval Europe and the Byzantine Empire to seek out the powerful Presbyter John, a mysterious king in the Far East who has promised to put his wealth and vast armies to the service of the pope's crusade.Nicolo's task is to guide Mauro, but a corrupt cardinal has secretly charged the young man with finding the source of the precious spices that ensure the Venetian and Arab trade monopoly. Nicolo's youthful exuberance, carelessness, and desire to be important jeopardizes their mission, while Mauro's knowledge of scripture and pagan works has not prepared him for the schemes of doges and emirs, clergymen and kings.

Author: Dean Cycon
Publisher: Koehler Books
Published: 01/21/2025
Pages: 314
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.02lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.70d
ISBN: 9798888245156


Review Citation(s):
PW Booklife Reviews 01/13/2025

About the Author
Cycon, Dean: - Dean Cycon is an author, international lawyer, and pioneering social entrepreneur. His first novel, Finding Home (Hungary, 1945), received a gold medal from the Independent Press Awards, was a finalist for the Goethe Late Fiction Award, and was the grand prize winner in the International Cinematic Book Competition. His narrative nonfiction book, Javatrekker: Dispatches from the World of Fair Trade Coffee, received a Publishers Weekly starred review and a gold medal from the Independent Publishers Association. He was the host of two PBS specials, Traveling in the 1970's and Coffee-The Drink that Changed America, and has appeared on the Today Show, Rick Steves' Europe, and NPR's Living on Earth.