The Worlds of Christopher Columbus
by William D. Phillips, Carla Rahn Phillips

New Insights on a Traditional Hero and Modern Villain
February 26, 2001

    Afraid that the backlash against an exaggerated hero worship of an often idealized Columbus will lead to a new and equally false myth of Columbus as simple villain, the authors systematically reconstruct the intelllectual atmosphere of 15th century Europeans. The widespread obsessions with religion, trade, Spanish empire building, and bureaucratic organizations are meticulously documented.

    The Worlds of Christopher Columbus stands out as a balanced, fair, and well-researched work examining the life and legacy of Columbus within the context of his times, European exploration, Christian theology, and the search for quicker/safer trade routes. The book combines a wide variety of sources and perspectives as it chronicles Columbus' four voyages, and many more controversies, to the New World.

    The authors, both historians at University of Minnesota, essentially argue that Columbus reflected the basic assumptions of his era like "a prism" combining ambition, zealous Christianity, and excellent navigation skills. The right man at the right place and time, Columbus sought recognition for opening Asia to trade and the expansion of Christianity. Ironically, Columbus always passionately condemned the idea that his "his world" was a "new continent." This valuable work brings new insights to the gradual evolution in Columbus goals, from Asian trading and building African style trading posts to island colonization. Columbus' decision to make slavery an economic cornerstone of Spain's new territories recevies special attention. (Queen Isabella, of Spanish Inquistion fame, opposed the enslavement of native tribespeople for religious reasons.)

 

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