1421 by Gavin Menzies (2003, Hardcover)

A brilliant piece of research that fills in huge gaps in history. I found this book as compelling and as hard to put down as the hottest novel. While Menzies has been attacked by critics because he dared to suggest that history unfolded differently than we were taught in grade school, he makes a good case for his thesis: that the Chinese under Ming Emperor Zhu Di sent four fleets of large ships around the world to map it, subject it to tribute, and to perfect their navigation system. Evidence is beginning to mount in support of his idea and will bring about a major revision of our understanding of the Age of Exploration. You won't find a non-fiction history book that is a better read!