The Story of Malacca

Book excerpt: There was a gap of fifty years between the last book on the history of Malacca and this one written by Allein G Moore. Sultans and Spices, Guns and Greed, Race and Religion: The Story of Malacca will be valuable not only to a visitor to this historic city but will also inspire pride in Malaysians for it is also the story of the birth and growth of a nation. Allein takes the reader on a comprehensive but easy-to-read journey from its beginnings as a sleepy coastal fishing village on the west coast of Malaysia to its development into one of the most important trading centres in the world. The author brings to life the events and individuals who helped created Malacca in the long distant past and in more recent years. This book grew out of his own personal curiosity, and he writes not only to tell visitors more about his home town but also to inspire Malaccans to love and preserve their heritage.