Astoria

The book explores the early commercial endeavors in the Americas, focusing on two primary motivations: the pursuit of precious metals in the South and the fur trade in the North. It contrasts the passionate Spanish conquests driven by the quest for gold with the strategic approaches of the French and British, who engaged in the lucrative fur trade in the colder regions, even venturing into the Arctic Circle. This narrative highlights the diverse motivations and methods of exploration and exploitation that shaped the continent's history.