if the records of the voyages were destroyed - how is it now known?

Not that I think any of it matters in the least. I do like a good historical story though.

Most recently read was Samurai William - story of William Adams - an Englishman posted in Japan for 20 years and given the task of opening trade between Japan and Europe.

Recommend it.

[link|http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0142003786/qid=1077201311/sr=1-9/ref=sr_1_9/102-5078365-1367349?v=glance&s=books|http://www.amazon.co...?v=glance&s=books]