WHO ON EARTH WAS CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS? Hero, Villain, Explorer—Which One Was Columbus Really? Every October, schoolchildren across the United States are taught to “discover” Columbus. They learn of his ships — the Niña, the Pinta and the Santa María — crossing uncharted waters in 1492. They hear about how he found a new world, ushering in the age of modern global history. Parades are held, lessons are taught, and statues stand in his honor. The story is simple, triumphant, and neat. But simplicity is rarely the full story. In 1989, a cadre of anthropologists had gathered in a little lecture room in Seville, Spain. They had assembled not to honor Columbus but to unpack the consequences of his voyages. What followed were tense discussions. On the other stood scholars who viewed Columbus as a dreamer — a courageous and determined man who pushed the boundaries of what was believed to be humanly possible. Opposing them were those who saw him as a symbol of conquest and brutality, whose deeds led to centuries of misery for the people of the Americas. Grab a copy of this book now!
