"A Global Renaissance"

I am researching exploration/pirating, specifically in the area of trade. While looking I came across the book, Renaissance Bazaar: from the Silk Road to Michelangelo, by Jerry Brotton. This book is available electronically through the library. This book brings up many interesting ideas, specifically concerning eastern influence in Europe, looking at silk, food, or artistic designs that were adapted into the renaissance.
The first chapter, "Global Renaissance" discusses certain items and influences that were founded with trade from the east. Brotton states, "While Europe predominately exported bulk goods such as timber, wool, and semi-precious metals, it tended to import luxury and high-value goods, whose impact upon the culture and consumption of communities from Venice to London was gradual but profound" (39). It goes on to explain that mostly all aspects of life were influenced or had some connection with the imports received. Main areas that Brotton discusses are the influences that these new goods had on food and art. Especially in regards to food, new spices, and seasonings, "black pepper, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon" (38), were established in order to enhance food and give it a more exotic taste. Through this Brotton discusses how the domestic economy changed with this new dependence on foreign trade and exports.
Along with the imported goods received by trade it also discusses the financial aspect of trade and the financial responsibilities that went along with exporting and importing goods. Through this different ways of balancing money, credit, and debt were established and so trade did not necessarily mean trading physical goods but also the trading of knowledge or technological skills.
This book has a lot of interesting points to discuss for the research of exploration and trade but I also think that it can be useful for a few other groups, possibly those looking at clothing. Finding out the influence and the material for the clothes and how it established class or superiority. Although the book has some insight on trade and foreign affairs it seems to omit cultural differences or anytime of animosity, specifically that of religion, The introduction states, "...the renaissance as a moment that similarly stood on the threshold of an expanding world where people exchanged ideas and things often regardless of political and religious ideology" (5). I understand that the main point is stating that trade was able to happen despite these major differences but it still seems like a very important part of trade that should be explored and a necessary component to the understanding of trade and foreign relations.