Books with title Christopher Columbus

Elibron Classics. Replica of 1893 edition by the Hakluyt Society, London.This edition includes illustrations.This is the Journal of the first voyage of Christopher Columbus to the New World. He left Spain on the evening of 3 August 1492, and returned on March 15 1493. This is a detailed account of the voyage, and the discovery of the New World. The Journal was later translated into English by Sir Clements Robert Markham (20 July 1830 – 30 January 1916) an English geographer, explorer, and writer.

Spain, as every one knows, was the country behind the discovery of America. Few people know, however, what an important part the beautiful city of Granada played in that famous event. It was in October, 1492, that Columbus first set foot on the New World and claimed it for Spain. In January of that same year another territory had been added to that same crown; for the brave soldier-sovereigns, Ferdinand and Isabella, had conquered the Moorish kingdom of Granada in the south and made it part of their own country. Nearly eight hundred years before, the Moors had come over from Africa and invaded the European peninsula which lies closest to the Straits of Gibraltar, and the people of that peninsula had been battling fiercely ever since to drive them back to where they came from. True, the Moor had brought Arabian art and learning with him, but he had brought also the Mohammedan religion, and that was intolerable not only to the Spaniards but to all Europeans. This war between the two religions began in the north near the Bay of Biscay whither the Christians were finally pushed by the invaders. Each century saw the Moors driven a little farther south toward the Mediterranean, until Granada, where the lovely Sierra Nevadas rise, was the last stronghold left them. Small wonder, then, that when Granada was finally taken the Spanish nation was supremely happy. Small wonder that they held a magnificent fete in their newly-won city in the "Snowy Mountains." The vanquished Moorish king rode down from his mountain citadel and handed its keys to Ferdinand and Isabella. Bells pealed, banners waved, and the people cheered wildly as their victorious sovereigns rode by. And yet, so we are told by a writer who was present, in the midst of all this rejoicing one man stood aside, sad and solitary. While all the others felt that their uttermost desire had been granted in acquiring the Moorish kingdom, he knew that he could present them with a far greater territory than Granada if only they would give him the chance. What were these olive and orange groves beside the tropic fertility of the shores he longed to reach, and which he would have reached long ere this, he told himself regretfully, if only they had helped him! What was the Christianizing of the few Moors who remained in Spain compared with the Christianizing of all the undiscovered heathen across the Atlantic! CONTENTS CHAPTER I COLUMBUS BEFRIENDED BY ROYALTY CHAPTER II THE YOUTH OF COLUMBUS CHAPTER III "LANDS IN THE WEST" CHAPTER IV THE SOJOURN IN MADEIRA CHAPTER V A SEASON OF WAITING CHAPTER VI A RAY OF HOPE CHAPTER VII ISABELLA DECIDES CHAPTER VIII OFF AT LAST! CHAPTER IX "LAND! LAND!" CHAPTER X NATIVES OF THE NEW LAND CHAPTER XI THE RETURN IN THE NINA CHAPTER XII DAYS OF TRIUMPH CHAPTER XIII PREPARING FOR A SECOND VOYAGE CHAPTER XIV FINDING NEW ISLANDS CHAPTER XV ON A SEA OF TROUBLES CHAPTER XVI THE THIRD VOYAGE CHAPTER XVII A RETURN IN DISGRACE CHAPTER XVIII PUBLIC SYMPATHY CHAPTER XIX THE LAST VOYAGE CHAPTER XX THE COURAGE OF DIEGO MENDEZ CHAPTER XXI "INTO PORT"

Why did Columbus sail for Spain instead of Italy? What did he hope to find when he sailed west across Atlantic Ocean? Why isn't America named after him? The 'Groundbreakers' series explores the lives of pioneering men and women–people whose achievements and discoveries have had a lasting impact on our world. Each book tells about the experiences that inspired these amazing individuals to think in new ways and discusses how the environment they lived in affected their work. Information on their supporters, colleagues, and rivals adds to the story. Finally, a look at the person's legacy shows how their achievements and discoveries continue to affect people today.