The Last Crusader: The Untold Story of Christopher Columbus

by George Grant

You have been lied to about Christopher Columbus.You know the year he sailed the ocean blue. An maybe you heard that he committed crimes against humanity. But The Last Crusader sets the record straight.

More than anything, Christopher Columbus sought the means to subsidize a new Crusade to free the Holy Land from the Moslem hordes. Yes Columbus hoped to open trade routes to the Indies, and he certainly aspired to the privileges and titles that come with discovering new lands. But Christian zeal for the Great Commission was the animating principle for a life of danger and risk and discovery.

This is the untold story of Christopher Columbus, the last Crusader.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Christian, Audiobook, Biography Memoir, American

Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 1992

About the author

Dr. George Grant is an evangelical educator recognized by a Tennessee newspaper “Review Appeal” as the one who “lives and breathes” education.

Grant is known as a reformed scholar and evangelical activist who hopes to promote sound Christian doctrine, seeking honest answers to honest questions, developing true spirituality and experiencing the beauty of human relationships.

He founded Franklin Classical School, located in Franklin, Tennessee and the King’s Meadow Study Center, which seeks to help the modern church to develop a practical cultural expression of a Christian worldview in art, music, literature, politics, social research, community development and education.

Grant has also produced numerous writings of more than 60 works on the topics relating to theology, school curriculum, arts, fiction and politics.

Reviews

[Parker Stoddard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grant gives an insightful look into the life and values of Columbus which led to his infamous expedition. Public schools and mainstream media have repeatedly slandered and lied to us about this man and what he stood for. Motivated by Christendom and its expansion, Columbus set sail and changed the world.

[Ben Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating.

Secular culture has over-reacted twice with Columbus over the centuries, with the most recent phenomena being to vilify him (along with so many heroes of the past) beyond all recognition. Grant aims to "set the record straight" with this little book and examines the aspects of Columbus that so many ignore, forget, or attempt to cover up.

This little quote sums up some of his position: "Columbus was far from morally perfect, but he was perfectly moral." Furthermore, one of the primary motivations for Columbus to set sail on his famous voyage was to fulfill the Great Commission: to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations. I don't recall that from the textbooks I read growing up.

This book is full of exciting discoveries for a Christian, and Grant repeatedly points to tier one sources like Columbus' journal entries and the records of public figures he interacted with during his adventurous life. If this topic piques your interest, I recommend this book!

[Saolomon Mouacheupao · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it too hot of a take to say Columbus was a missionary?

[ValeReads Kyriosity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was grumpy that my bank changed its name from the charming and quirky Umpqua to the staid and sober Columbia, but this book helped reconcile me to it. There's good reason to name things after Columbus, who was anything but boring. I very much enjoyed Grant's depiction of him, which was full of honor tempered by an honest recounting of his faults.

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a town near me voted to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day that motivated me to educate myself about Columbus. I appreciated the historical background that George Grant supplies so that I could understand Columbus in the context of the times in which he lived in. It helped to be introduced to feudalism which is a foreign concept to many of us. Also understanding the impact of Islam's Holy War gives us insight into Columbus' goal to collect the funds necessary to reconquest the Holy Land. Columbus was a man of faith and while he might not have been the best manager he had great courage, perseverance, and commendable goals. Spreading Western civilization to distant shores was a great achievement.

[Josh Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A common faith, a common heritage, a common destiny.

Great overview for a great day.

[Caleb M. Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fine enough, though Grant was a bit wordy and wandered a tad too much for my taste.

[Elizabeth Mycroft · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Loved the content, but Grant’s writing style was a little distracting, and the way he organized the book made it a little difficult to follow. I will probably have to read it again, because the flowery writing sometimes made it difficult for me to catch his point. I prefer writers like Marsden for biographies, so this might just be an issue of preference (hence rounding my review to 4 starts). Once I got the point of the book I think it was great, but I am sure I missed something due to the writing style. Some of his phrases simply didn’t make sense to me. For example: “Often, the best we can say for ourselves is worse than the worst we can do.” If you understand what he is saying, please let me know 😅

[Kyle Grindberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable overall, although I did not enjoy the scattered structure.

[Shea Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

George Grant is an interesting writer and interesting lecturer. But his use of words I've never heard of in describing things makes me feel dumb.

[Randy Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderfully broad book in which one gets the feeling Grant has done much more research than he shows (a true rarity). This wasn't a biography Christopher Columbus as much as it was a wonderful and colorful tour of the world in the fifteenth century. Grant has a knack for bringing the sunshine out into the darkness of the dark ages. The early chapters on the Byzantium empire was absolutely amazing, as well as his passages on what life was really like in the fifteenth century, or more, what was the fifteenth century mind like, how they considered the idea of a nation as such a novelty, as well as the prevalent concept of Christendom as well as the history of the Crusades, Feudalism and the natural eclectic mix of men like Columbus (for example he was fluent in Ligurian, Portuguese, Castilian and Catalonian and wrote in Greek and Latin as well as a passing knowledge of Arabic, French, German, English, sailing under various flags (Genoese, Angevans, Portuguese, Aragonese and Castilians). Grant, spends much time telling us, in flowing and graceful detail, about the library that Columbus undoubtedly frequented in Lisbon, prior to his great journey. His writing is so fresh and exciting that whether the material is new to me or not, he brings an excitement and anticipation to every page. Throughout Grant shows a graceful knowledge of his material, as if he is just touching down lightly and that he could have written a book five times this size.

[kyleesreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 The Last Crusader: The Untold Story of Christopher Columbus by George Grant

“Modern critics of Columbus recoil from his geniality not his brutality. They abhor his faithfulness not his recklessness. They rail against him precisely because they simultaneously rail against Christendom—the republic for which he stands.” ⛵️✝️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow what a fascinating read!!! I haven’t read a history book in so long and thanks to the Sheologians podcast bookclub I got out of my comfort zone with this latest read! I cannot believe how much the modern world wrongly represents Christopher Columbus. This book is so necessary and I’m thankful to George Grant for reporting history with his Christian worldview. Who knew that Christopher Columbus was a faithful Christian man who set out on a voyage inspired by his conviction of fulfilling the Great Commission?! Some of the history went over my head so having the book club discussions was extra helpful for unpacking this book. I would love to read another one of Grant’s books in the future!

*❗️: Suitable for all ages

*my personal opinion

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[Cadi Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

George Grant is one of my fave historians, so I knew I’d enjoy his uncovering of the truth about Cristóbal Colón. It’s a well-told story of a courageous man driven by faith, a brave evangelist who risked everything so that God’s glory might be known among all people. A true hero I can proudly teach my kids to look up to, even in the midst of all these “woke” shenanigans 🙄. Happy Columbus Day, thank you very much.

I especially loved learning more about Filipa, his noble Portuguese wife, and how through her he gained access to her father’s navigational charts and notes. It was also fascinating to hear how Columbus gathered intel for his voyage, through reports of strange items, driftwood, and even bodies that had washed ashore from lands to the West. 🫠

A bit much on the flowery language at times, a few paragraphs that lost me, some sentences I still have no idea what he meant. 🙈 Yet, still very enjoyable, and one I’ll return to in the future.

Listened on Canon+.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scholarly work on the topic of Columbus. Grant aims to show us that we cannot rewrite history to fit our modern liking. He gives an accurate account of Columbus and backs up his research with many sources. While parts of the book may seem out of order, Grant works to show who Columbus was from a variety of different sources and ways.
A quick, but good read.

[Alexandra Medina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Grant's writing can get somewhat flowery, but he knows his stuff and paints a clear picture of the life and times of Columbus. Knowing the cultural and historical context of his time fills in the picture of why he was who he was and what truly drove him forward - the Great Commission. - Read for book club!!

[Jesse Beauford · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent snapshot of Christianity from the time of the beginning of Islam to the present.
Grant takes the snapshot in laying the foundation for Columbus and his drive for exploration and the fulfillment of the great commission.

In essence, we (the American people and church) have been lied to.

[Emma R. Pilcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent little book on an excellent man I have given very little thought to. The chapter on the "vandalism of history" alone makes this worth reading. George Grant's astute insights never disappoint.

[Peter Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid popular biography on Columbus and his motivations for looking for a way to the Indies going West. I would recommend it to counteract much of the nonsense that is pushed by the left today. Grant also points the reader to more in depth biographies if the reader wants something more robust.

[Skyler Chaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly fantastic

[Brittany Schwind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great content, but much too flowery and verbose at some parts for my taste. Still would recommend for a much different perspective of Columbus than most of us have been taught!

[Gerrit Tamminga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quality book that not only outlines the history behind the true man, Columbus, but also gives light and strength to the theology and piety which drove him to the ends of the Earth.

[Paul Pompa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet biography of Christopher Columbus. Columbus faith was the foundation of his identity, and was likely the primary driving force for his expeditions.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really a terrific book. Listened to it on Canon+.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good.

[Anthony Palacio · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very clear, concise, and historic biography of the life of the great explorer. It clears up many misconceptions and lies about a man who chiefly desired to glorify the one true God.

[Travis Daggett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good stuff.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspirational way of thinking about Christopher Columbus. Grant does a good job of placing Columbus in his time and helping modern people to see his mission as he saw it. One particular thing that struck me is how thoroughly Christian Columbus was in both his writings and life aspirations. Columbus knew what he believed God had called him to do, and he showed an amazing amount of determination in doing it. The one con of this book is that Grant frequently quotes things in Latin without translating it (a particular pet peeve of mine). Other than that, I recommend The Last Crusader.