Christopher Columbus

Usborne Famous Lives

by Minna Lacey

Presents the background and achievements of the Italian seaman who discovered the New World.

Genres: History, Biography, Childrens, Nonfiction

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Since joining Usborne, Minna has written books on everything from pirates and gladiators to jungles and oceans. She studied Maths and Philosophy at university and previously worked as a journalist and illustrator in London, Bogota and New York. In her spare time, she loves writing stories, drawing and playing the guitar.

Reviews

[Julia Headley]

I did not know that Christopher Columbus took many voyages. It took a long time to convince Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand to pay for his travels. I've read about Queen Isabella in another book and it was interesting to hear her mentioned in this history book. Columbus is complicated. He did not give up trying to explore, which requires confidence. But following Columbus' travels, Tainos people died in the thousands, catching sickness and fighting wars. There are good parts about Christopher Columbus and bad parts about him.

[Rachel Oldaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read with kids. No idea the accuracy, but it seems to paint a semi-neutral picture of Columbus. Growing up I thought he was a hero, and in today's world, I hear talk that he was a terrible man. This book seems to be a little more fact based, surely leaving out more dramatic details since it is written for kids. Certainly peaks my interest to study him more.

[Wilde Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives a brief biography of a famous explorer.

I found this quite an interesting book. I really didn’t know much about the details of the explorer’s travels, the different expeditions that he undertook and the hardships that he (and his crews) endured.

I can imagine that young children would find this book interesting.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail across the Atlantic, on a voyage into the unknown. He was looking for a quicker route to the Indies but found new whole World.....

[Herold Homeschool · Rating 5 out of 5]

It doesn’t paint Columbus is a rosey light but is pretty neutral and still age appropriate. We love all the Usborne internet linked books.

[Sally Musharbash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting child-friendly language!