- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Prentice Hall; 1 edition (20 Dec 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0140442170
- ISBN-13: 978-0140442175
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.9 x 1.9 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
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- #61 in Books > Biography > Historical > Countries & Regions > Spain
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Product Description
Product Description
No gamble in history has been more momentous than the landfall of Columbus's ship the Santa Maria in the Americas in 1492 - an event that paved the way for the conquest of a 'New World'. The accounts collected here provide a vivid narrative of his voyages throughout the Caribbean and finally to the mainland of Central America, although he still believed he had reached Asia. Columbus himself is revealed as a fascinating and contradictory figure, fluctuating from awed enthusiasm to paranoia and eccentric geographical speculation. Prey to petty quarrels with his officers, his pious desire to bring Christian civilization to 'savages' matched by his rapacity for gold, Columbus was nonetheless an explorer and seaman of staggering vision and achievement.
About the Author
JM Cohen (1903 - 1989) was the translator of many volumes for the Penguin Classics, including versions of Rabelais, Cervantes and Montaigne.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
SOME say that these lands were first known many centuries ago, and that their situation was written down and the exact latitudes noted in which they lay. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
SOME say that these lands were first known many centuries ago, and that their situation was written down and the exact latitudes noted in which they lay. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This was a very good book overall that gave an absorbing narrative on the discovery of the Americas. Not a single trip odyssey as one would expect but a series of four voyages that resulted in the main in the discovery of Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamica and mainland America.
The textual content of the book are direct lifts from documents, books and reports written by Columbus, his son and other historic authors. It is descriptive in nature and gives a great perspective on the wonderment of the sailors and of Columbus himself as they embark on their fasinating voyages of discovery.
There are new islands, tribes, cultures, animals, crops and diseases discovered aplenty. This along with political deceit, crew rebellions, native battles and the ever present peril of storm tossed seas gives a fascinating insight into this historical period. It is best described as a boys own story of unsurpassed adventure.
The fact that Columbus was not the true discoverer of mainland America is also explained by the main man himself...but read the book to find out this detail.
I personally would have liked more biographical and historical informaton on the main characters and events covered in the book. I was left asking myself a lot of unanswered questions by the end. I felt there was scant information given outside the boundaries of the 'lifted' narrative.
Overall though this was a very good book on a series of journeys that concluded with a new world being added to the old...fasinating reading!
The textual content of the book are direct lifts from documents, books and reports written by Columbus, his son and other historic authors. It is descriptive in nature and gives a great perspective on the wonderment of the sailors and of Columbus himself as they embark on their fasinating voyages of discovery.
There are new islands, tribes, cultures, animals, crops and diseases discovered aplenty. This along with political deceit, crew rebellions, native battles and the ever present peril of storm tossed seas gives a fascinating insight into this historical period. It is best described as a boys own story of unsurpassed adventure.
The fact that Columbus was not the true discoverer of mainland America is also explained by the main man himself...but read the book to find out this detail.
I personally would have liked more biographical and historical informaton on the main characters and events covered in the book. I was left asking myself a lot of unanswered questions by the end. I felt there was scant information given outside the boundaries of the 'lifted' narrative.
Overall though this was a very good book on a series of journeys that concluded with a new world being added to the old...fasinating reading!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Four Voyages is a compilation of letters and logs that has been translated to describe Columbus' voyages to the new world. Its much more of an academic collection suitable for research work.
The content is taken from log entries and letters during the voyages and chapters from Columbus' biography written by his son. Much of the text was written by people that were there experiencing the voyages and writing about them which gives this a first hand feel you won't find elsewhere. Some interesting parts are those that reveal Columbus' devotion to religion and interest in world geography. At the time Columbus was making the case for a smaller Earth because he was convinced "the mainland" (South America) was Asia.
Overall this was difficult to get through and lacks much of the drama and excitement that would have occurred on the voyages. It also assumes the reader has some idea of the background history.
I would recommend it only as a supplemental book to those that are interested in the discovery of the new world and would like to read Columbus' own words.
The content is taken from log entries and letters during the voyages and chapters from Columbus' biography written by his son. Much of the text was written by people that were there experiencing the voyages and writing about them which gives this a first hand feel you won't find elsewhere. Some interesting parts are those that reveal Columbus' devotion to religion and interest in world geography. At the time Columbus was making the case for a smaller Earth because he was convinced "the mainland" (South America) was Asia.
Overall this was difficult to get through and lacks much of the drama and excitement that would have occurred on the voyages. It also assumes the reader has some idea of the background history.
I would recommend it only as a supplemental book to those that are interested in the discovery of the new world and would like to read Columbus' own words.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Very revealing texts, mainly drawn from the biographies written by his son and by a Spanish Court historian after his death, as well as Columbus's surviving documents. The biographies based much on primary documents which are now lost. Despite Columbus's continuous declared goals of spreading Christianity and Spanish glory, the lust for gold comes through on every page. The translator JM Cohen does feel the need at one point to draw in a less 'official' source to show explicitly how native women were treated by Columbus's men with his clear blessing. Some of the most memorable passages relate to the practices of the Carib cannibals, which I hesitate to repeat in polite company. The collection conveys clearly why historians continue to find Columbus a contradictory figure. Sometimes appearing to be ridiculously deluded, his relentless energy and driven ambition cannot fail to impress.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4 Voyages of Christopher Columbus
Morrison devoted may years to Columbus while writing official histories, doing academic admin, etc. Ex-admiral, traveller who flew and sailed the routes, veteran historian, he has... Read more
Published 16 months ago by a flynn
A must read - incredible book
This is, in my opinion, one of the most important pieces of writing it is possible to read. The book is excellently translated, and it gives you a completely new perspective on the... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Flembotembo
A mind boggling piece of history
How can anyone not be interested in these momentous times and the events which unfolded?
This is a mind boggling book, no fiction can come close to the records of those... Read more
This is a mind boggling book, no fiction can come close to the records of those... Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2010 by R. I. Hicks
The 4 Voyages of Christopher Columbus
This book was in excellent condition. It arrived before the stated date and I am grateful to the suppliers for their prompt attention.
Published on 3 Nov 2009 by J
Amazing. An in debt look at Columbus and hislifeBuDdaHlOvAh
This book was excellent. It taught me so much more about Columbus and his journey's. Being a school teacher, this book sure will help me while teaching my students. Read more
Published on 29 Oct 1998
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