Christopher Columbus (1451–1506)

This translation is mainly directed at sailors who would like to follow Columbus's course, and its coverage of the debates over Columbus's first landfall and the course of his first voyage is thorough and interesting. The text of the log, however, is unreliable and tampers with the Spanish sources, although at least the most blatant instances of tampering are usually mentioned in a footnote. The style is perhaps too casual, and the approach to Columbus himself is unabashedly hero-worshiping. show more I'm finding the appendices to be the best parts of the book. One contains an abridged reprint of Gustavus V. Fox's case for Samana Cay as Columbus's "San Salvador." Robert H. Fuson is an academic geographer with a military background. show less

As to the Spanish in this book, I cannot comment. The English worked fine for me though. This contains letters and selected documents by Columbus or to him during each of his four voyages. It was nice to have alongside the biography I was reading to fill in some gaps and get an idea of the terminology and phrasing used in the 1400s. From his comments, it seems that Columbus was well read for his day. He seemed to be an eternal optimist until the weight of perceived and real injustices done show more to him crushed his spirit. That, along with his poor health. His family and friends were loyal though and he always had good words to say for them and for those who sailed under him, even seeming to forgive most of the mutineers. show less

A nice collection of primary documents related to the life and voyages of Christopher Columbus, a fine companion volume to Morison's magnum opus, his Columbus biography Admiral of the Ocean Sea. It is beautifully illustrated and presented, in a fine large folio edition, with a nice slipcase. One caveat, all of the sources appear only in English translation, which does not allow for a comparison with the original text.

Very brief, easy to read, great for young readers or the classroom. The pictures are well done and a good conversation point, along with the maps and woodcuts.