Christopher Columbus: His Story and His Journals

Description

Setting historic narratives straight is very important, not to make Columbus out to be a saint (because he wasn’t necessarily), but because Americans need to be intimately acquainted with the true history of their nation. If Columbus can be discounted for one fault or one lie, so can Washington, Jefferson, Bradford, and many others.

Without understanding the details of our history, what do we have left? We have a nation on the brink of something that resembles the fall of Rome and the rise of communism.

Many people believe that Columbus was a thieving rapist and murderer who plundered the islands for his own gain. But why do they think this? Have they taken even one hour to research these claims? The story of the discovery and colonization of the Carribean Islands and the mainland is like all other historic events: full of individuals with personal ambitions, heroic actions, selfish motives, charitable decisions, and terrible atrocities. No single person was wholly innocent or wholly evil. Entire groups of people cannot be judged by the actions of a few.

In this volume, featuring two books in one, the reader will find that there are many players in Columbus’ story, and that while he was a great explorer, he was not fit to manage colonies. Further, much of the government of the islands was forced out of his control and conducted without his knowledge.

BOOK ONE is The Life of Christopher Columbus From His Own Letters and Journals and Other Documents of His Time by EDWARD EVERETT HALE, originally published in 1892. It was in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ first voyage. It is exactly the kind of narrative perfect for readers: facts, straight from Columbus’ own writings, woven in an easy-to-follow narrative.

As a very necessary historic bonus, BOOK TWO is the Original narratives of Chrisopher Columbus, a part of the work
Original Narratives of Early American History, Edited by Edward Gaylord Bourne, PH.D and published in 1906..
Thi edition is incredibly annotated with 700 historical footnotes to verify and further explain the people, places, and events in the discoveries. Multiple sources over 400 years are cited in the journals and letters. Readers will be amazed and overjoyed at the tidbits of information included in these footnotes.

When you read these letters of his, it’s apparent what an educated and talented man Columbus was. Like Lewis and Clark, he identified new and strange animals, plants, minerals, and people groups. He was well-versed in the scriptures and biblical prophecy. He was a mapmaker (in a time when the entire world had not been discovered!). He was bold and courageous. After reading these volumes, a reader won’t help thinking that the 21st century critics of Columbus who topple statues and feign morality would not be able to know or do even a fraction of what Columbus did. Despite some miscalculations and misidentifications, and despite some errors in judgement, he was an amazing person who was born to accomplish great things.

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