Christopher Columbus: "A Man among the Gentiles"

by Clark B. Hinckley

Over the centuries, the story of Christopher Columbus has become so enshrouded in myth that his life has remained largely a mystery to all but a handful of scholars. Yet the prophet Nephi suggests that Columbus stands out among historical figures as "a man among the Gentiles." In fact, Lehi and Nephi identify only two specific individuals in their prophecy of the latter-day Restoration: Christopher Columbus and Joseph Smith. In a sense, these two men stand as bookends to the Restoration—one at the beginning and one at the end. Columbus himself wrote that he was inspired by the Holy Ghost to undertake his voyage—a claim which some historians struggle to accept. In this candid and revealing treatment, author Clark B. Hinckley uncovers a man with two great dreams. Yet what may be the most remarkable aspect of Columbus's life is the degree to which he understood his prophetic mission and his place in history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Religion, Lds, Historical, Church

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2014

About the author

Clark B. Hinckley is a banker by vocation and a historian by avocation. A director of Zions First National Bank, he earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Brigham Young University and a master's degree in business administration (MBA) from the Harvard Business School. He is a graduate and former faculty member of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking. A former bishop and stake president, he presided over the Spain Barcelona Mission from 2009 to 2012. In 2015 he was called to preside over the Tijuana Mexico Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and his wife, Kathleen Hansen Hinckley, have six children and eighteen grandchildren. They have lived in New York City, Michigan, Arizona, and Salt Lake City. They currently reside in Tijuana, Mexico.

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic! I didn't know much about Columbus when I started. I knew that he discovered America by sailing West to get to the East. I also grew up believing that, during this period of time, the common thought was that the world was flat (which is false--they did not believe that at all). I also knew that in my religion, we believe that he was inspired to discover America. Over the past few years, I've noticed that on the day we honor him, many people disparage him. When I read the summary for this book, I felt drawn to it so when it came, I settled in to read.

I like that the author didn't whitewash anything. He shares the good and the bad. Columbus made mistakes (don't we all?) and put his trust in the wrong people at times. He was betrayed several times and the mistreatment of Indians didn't come at his hands, but at others who ignored his counsel. He was a man of God and wanted to share Christianity with the Indians, not harm them.

Columbus made the journey west four different times. After the first, he was praised and honored. By the time he arrived home from the fourth, he was extremely sick and few people seemed to care. He was a gifted sailor who had a great sense of where to travel and whenever his navigation was followed, they were okay. The problems came when he was overridden and a different route was taken.

Some of the things I learned about him are: His early years and what motivated him to explore the Ocean Sea. He had two sons--one legitimate and the other illegitimate but he loved them equally and worked hard to make sure they were always taken care of. His health was poor the entire time but his life was spared until his mission was completed. I knew there was a spiritual side to his journeys but learned even more about that. I learned about his death and the controversy surrounding his burial site. And I gained a deeper understanding for why he matters.

If you're looking for the spiritual side of Christopher Columbus's journeys, this is a great book that you will enjoy reading! It is heavy at times, but I was taken in with the way the author described what was happening so I found it easier to read than I originally thought I would. When I finished, I felt that I had a greater understanding and love for him than I did when I first started and look forward to reading it again!

I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.

Mel's Shelves

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up Christopher Columbus : A Man Among the Gentiles by Clark B . Hinckley on Columbius Day in an effort to learn more about the man behind the holiday. The author has done meticulous research with sourced materials to paint a very different picture of the explorer from the one that is being pushed in today's progressive history lessons. I wanted toe separate myth and legend from documented fact. Including new texts like Columbus' "Libro de Las Profecias," we learn that Columbus was a man led by God to unlock the path the to the new world navigating upon the ocean. Columbus himself wrote "with a hand that could be felt, the Lord opened my mind to the fact that it would be possible to sail and he opened my will to desire to accomplish the project… This was the fire that burned within me… Who can doubt that this fire was not merely mine, but also of the Holy Ghost… Urging me to press forward?

Born in Genoa Christopher Columbus was named after St. Christopher. His name literally means Christ – bearer. pgs 18-20 He was a man rejected time and time again until after much persistence, his request to sail in search of the East was finally granted. Packed with history, this offers an integrated view that Columbus was in fact a visionary man who truly felt led and guided. He was well-read and amazingly accurate in his method of navigation. As a history minor, I LOVED this book. I passed the lessons on to my children and we talked about the book in family home evening. Well written, interesting and thoughtfully researched.

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Carefully researched and presented well. You get a good portrait of the spiritual and imperfect man that was Columbus. His strengths were focused on, which is how God worked with him, and his sins not ignored, yet not over-focused on. I appreciated the views at the end of why his discovery was more important than the “footprints in history” of the previous ones (Vikings & Irish). I just finished a book on Martin Luther, and loved seeing how the two lives entangled in the annals of history during the same timeframe and their importance on bringing to pass God’s purposes.

[Brianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. The writing wasn't great. The history itself was interesting, though dumbed down a little. This felt like a high school summary (though obviously wouldn't be taught this way in high school because of the religious focus). For a book about discovery and travel, there were surprisingly few maps, and the maps included were small, low quality, and without much detail. I would also have preferred more connection to LDS scripture/quotes, etc., as one reason I read this book was because I thought it was billed this way.

Maybe my expectations were too high or I was expecting something different, but as a person who reads quickly, this 225-page book took me a long time. Frankly, I was bored. Even the interesting history was muddled a bit in the just-okay, and confusing-at-times, writing. I get that Columbus is a very important figure, and I think his experiences are intriguing, but I wasn't impressed with this presentation.

I did like these two quotes attributed to Columbus: "'For God is wont to listen to His servants who love His precepts, even in impossibilities, as has happened to us on the present occasion, who have attained that which hitherto mortal men have never reached.'"

And, "'I believe that the Holy Spirit works among Christians, Jews and Moslems, and among all men of every faith, not merely among the learned, but also among the uneducated.'"

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is FASCINATING!

As "author Clark B. Hinckley reminds us, the Book of Mormon prophet Nephi suggests that Columbus stands out as "a man among the Gentiles." In fact, Lehi and Nephi describe only two specific individuals in their prophecy of the latter-day restoration of the gospel: Christopher Columbus and Joseph Smith."

So if Joseph Smith's name is had for good and evil, does it surprise you that Christopher Columbus has been brought into question?

This book clearly shows through his own journals that Christopher Columbus felt inspired by the Holy Ghost.

He felt prompted to sail the seas and bring the truth to the new world.

You will read of:

* His struggles in getting the sailing approved

* His preparations

* His first crossing and then his subsequent crossings

* His shipwreck

* His health issues

* And more

I learned more than I ever had through this book.
I was very intrigued by the name Christopher and how it came to be and what it truly means.

We owe a lot to Christopher Columbus.

Expertly written!
Precisely presented!

[Lauren Flores · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provided an interesting LDS insight to the story of Christopher Columbus, highlighting experiences that would be of interest to LDS audiences in particular. I appreciated reading about the more spiritual side of Columbus. Perhaps this comes as a result of my indigenous heritage, but I felt the picture of Columbus this book portrayed was a little too rosy. The author made sure we knew Columbus wasn't perfect, but for the most part discounted any of his mistreatment of the natives and painted him as someone who merely wanted converts for the Catholic church. I am by no means trying to further the view of the "noble native," but merely asking that we see Christopher Columbus for who he really is. Sure, he was guided by the hand of God and perhaps even had revelations and spiritual gifts bestowed upon him, but let's not ignore that he also enslaved Natives. Though he wanted to bring converts into the Catholic church, he was also still willing to enslave a people he didn't quite see as his equal.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books ever. So much truth. I wish I had known this side of Columbus my whole life. What a beautiful tribute to a Great Man.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent biography of Columbus. Very readable and condensed into digestible chapter lengths that highlight the Admiral's background, experience, challenges leading up to his first voyage, all four of his voyages, his relationships with various monarchs and others, along with his shipwrecks, betrayals & mutinies, and his unfailing faith. Hinckley provides helpful and interesting context, along with a unique LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) perspective on Columbus, his life, and his life's mission.

[McKay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and the insights of the author. It was very well researched and put a positive light on Columbus that dispel what many current critics have to say about this amazing man! I definitely recommend anyone learning more about Christopher Columbus and the magnificence of what he accomplished!

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the way in which Clark Hinckley presented this historical figure. Columbus was a man of great faith, yet he was also flawed. I like how the author included Columbus' own words as to why he ventured forth into unknown territory. Columbus truly wanted to spread Christianity. He wanted to change the world.

The popular view of Columbus today is that he was a greedy gold-seeker, bent on enslaving the peaceful native people, despoiling the pristine environment, and establishing slavery in the New World. But this view contradicts Columbus’s own writings. Hugh Nibley observed, “Most of what is mysterious and contradictory in the story of Columbus comes from the refusal of the experts to believe what he tells them. They say he was an outrageous liar when he was actually telling the truth!” (Hugh Nibley, The Prophetic Book of Mormon, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1989), 50.)

Columbus reported Carib cannibalism upon returning to Spain, as did others from his expeditions. They were not alone. It was later reported by English and French sailors, explorers, and soldiers as well. But was this merely propaganda designed to justify his own brutality as some historians claim today? If so, it seems Columbus would have consistently portrayed all Indians as brutal savages, but that is not the case. On the contrary, his reports also included accounts of rescuing Arawak captives on several islands who feared they would be eaten by Caribs. Columbus portrayed those other Indians as gentle people, and wrote of them respectfully. People who tell lies about the "evil others" for the sake of propaganda seldom mix those lies with tales about the "good others." What would be the point? Therefore, it seems wise to question the modern theory that Columbus's allegations against the Caribs were strictly self justifying propaganda, and logical to assume that he was actually telling the truth about the Caribs.

Tribute System

When he was in control of the Arawak Indians and their island Haiti, Christopher Columbus still could not find the gold that he was sure was somewhere on the island. To find this gold, Columbus set up a "tribute system" which was:

Every three months, each Haitian over 14 years of age would be required to pay Columbus with either 25 pounds in cotton or a large "hawk's bell" of gold dust. Once the slaves paid this, they would receive a metal token. This token was worn around their necks as a signal that they were home-free for another 3 months. The author does talk about this tribute system. This type of treatment of the natives was probably standard for his day, but to our tastes it is reprehensible.

I must remind myself that when reading about the man that it is important to see him as a product of his time and place. He came from a culture different than my own, and to judge him based on my values and my culture would be unfair. I thought the author tried to balance these points, as he navigated the personality of Columbus.

Rape

The author doesn't get into what Columbus did when it comes to this topic, and I still don't know where the truth lies here. I have read one of his men who admits to rape, but have not found cases where Columbus engaged in this practice. Did these things happen? Yes, certainly they did. Did Columbus do this? Do we have record of him admitting to this type of behavior? I don't know. If we do, I think it would have been good to include in a book like this. History should be balanced.

Faith

Columbus was a man of faith. He believed in Jesus Christ and in the church as he understood it. He wanted to improve the world, to spread Christianity, and to open up a route by which Europeans could expand. He is famous for all of the reasons the author says in the concluding chapters. I appreciated this approach to the man. I acknowledge he was not perfect, that he was a man in his time and place, his sitz im leben. Was he a great man? Certainly. Was he perfect? Far from it. And this gives hope to people like me.

[Jack Josie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.45

Fantastic book! Poopoo review! Let’s do it!

It is a shame that so much misinformation goes around about Christopher Columbus. A shame that he is blamed for the atrocities performed by his foolish crew mates. This book definitely cleared his name for me. He’s clearly not perfect, but not the evil man that modern day media/culture portrays him.

I don’t know why... but schools taught me that Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue to prove to the government that the earth wasn’t flat and he nearly stumbled upon the United States! What the hell. Where did that come from? It is So far from the truth. This book shed light on the vast truth of Colombus, Hinckley clearly did an extensive amount of research. But the book doesn’t feel convoluted or arrogant, it’s a humble skimming of the history. It covers the story in as much depth as anyone needs to know.
I have learned mucho. I have also learned how shit the American school system is.
It was wildly interesting to read about his adventurous voyages. The hurricanes that ravaged, the mutinies that formed, the ship wrecks, the pure adventure. I love reading books about big ship adventures, they always suck me in.

Maybe I was a pirate in my past life? ;)

Or maybe I grew up obsessed with pirates of the Caribbean

Either or

This book is not perfect though. I think it starts rather slow, it is an uphill battle for the first 50 pages. I credit this too the slow, hard to follow in depth description of medieval European politics. Whenever this was discussed I checked out, it’s not my thing, I came here to read about Columbus not about the family line and abridgment of Aragon and Castile. It added nothing to the story, it only bored and confused me. Sadly this took up a fair amount of pages throughout the book (predominantly in the beginning)

I’m also a bit sour to the fact that this is an lds book. It’s a serious shame. Hinckley just cut his audience by a hundredth. This book is far to important for it to be a predominantly lds book. The lds-scriptural nods that happen ever so often don’t add much to the story/perspective anyway. I’m lds, but it’s a shame that a non-lds person may veer away from this important book for that fact alone. Maybe he should write a non member version 🤷🏼‍♂️

Either or, I recommend this book to all. It should be read by all. It should be required reading in all high schools. Minus the drab medieval European politics, and lds reaffirmations.

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the research Clark B. Hinkcley put into this book. My in-laws were missionaries with him in Spain when he was able to read all of Christopher Columbus's documents. Mckay came home from school relaying that his teacher said that Christopher Columbus was not a hero and began the slave trade. Thankfully this book came to my doorstep as a christmas present.

I found Christopher Columbus an amazing person and a hero in every way. He did found and build the highway of all trade, and just as any highway good and bad will come. His whole goal was to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, through baptism in his Catholic religion, to all the world. To his sadness instead of converting the indians they were abused and killed. Christopher Columbus said whenever he thinks of the native people in the America's tears come to his eyes. He tried so hard to do good, but didn't realize that there was another prophecy that they would be scattered and scourged by the gentiles. He was very faithful and did all he could, though he admits pride caused him a lot of pain throughout his life.

[Jennilynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a few books on Columbus, but didn't feel like any of them provided a complete picture of the man. It was refreshing to see that the information presented in this book was gathered from writings at the time of Columbus's life, in addition to a biography written by his son. Overall a very informative book.

[L Boyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part was a little slow, however, once it starts into the voyages, it becomes very interesting and insightful. Christopher Columbus IS an amazing, faithful, and powerful man. My understanding and appreciation for him had definitely been strengthened and for that, I love this book.

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got to know this wonderful man so well in this book that I cried at the end when he died. Christopher Columbus shares a lot of griefs similar to the griefs Joseph Smith carried. A true man of God. This is a must-own book.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

An honest treatment of Columbus, with a definite Mormon flavor, however Hinckley keeps the Mormon seasoning light.

[Hayden Monson · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are still unsure exactly where he was from... likely from or born around Genoa, Italy.
Worked on ships in his younger years.
Was on a ship that caught fire and was sinking. He hung on an ore and swam 6 miles to the coast of Portugal where he stayed for approximately 9 years.
At age 33, Columbus and his plan to sail to the east by going west (buscar el levante por el poniente) was rejected by the Portuguese government. At the same time, his wife Felipa died leaving him a widow with 1 young son.
It took Columbus 7 years to prepare and convince the Spanish monarchs to realize his journey to the Indies. This was in large part to a war being waged against Granada. After the war Columbus was again denied of his journey but are he left and started heading to France to try his luck there, the queen reconsidered and sent for Columbus to return.
C met Beatriz and had a son (Fernando). He never married Beatriz but kept close and had his son Diego take care of them after his death.
C had primitive tools to approximate his latitude and it was basically impossible back then to accurately calculate longitude (eclipse). He used dead reckoning to navigate. Which is using a compass to tell direction, an hourglass to keep time and guessing your speed. Then record all these items and calculate distance.
Columbus discovered land on October 12th, my birthday. Likely this was
He first landed in the islands of the Caribbean later stopping in Cuba and Haiti.
The Santa Maria hit some reef and the ship was compromised. They left men to establish a colony and guarantee a return trip.
CCs second voyage was much larger with 17 ships and 1,200 men. The objectives of the second voyage were to convert the local to Catholicism and establish commerce/trade. CC once again arrived in the Indies, visiting a few small islands, Jamaica and Cuba.
On the second voyage, CC sent 12 of the 17 ships home with items from the indies. He took a few ships and sailed up to Cuba a Jamaica for 5 months. When he returned to Isabela things were a mess. His men plundered, raped and enslaved. CC ended up capturing 1,500 natives, sent 500 to be sold as slaves in Spain. Most died relatively soon after being captured. In 1496 CC imposed a tax that everyone over 14 provides a hawks bell full of gold every 2 months.
The word hurricane entered the English vocabulary when Columbus was hit by a large storm while at Isabela and it sunk 3 of his ships. The natives referred to the storm as Huricán.
On the 3rd voyage, CC sailed further south and landed at Trinidad which he named after the holy trinity. He then sailed toward and landed at Venezuela which he thought was an island.
CC thought he had found the location of the garden of Eden when he traveled by what is now Venezuela. The water running out of a river and into a see was so strong that he concluded the landmass couldn't have been an island. He thought it to be such a strong current of freshwater that it had to be one of the fabled rushing waters emitting out of a spring in the garden of Eden.
CC was ceased by a man commanded by the queen to assess and take control of the situation in the indies. Columbus was handcuffed, incarcerated and sent back to Spain.
CC wrote el Libro de las profecias in his 50s which most accused him of being crazy for. It consisted mostly of religious text where he claimed he was divinely called to preordained to do what he did. He cited the scripture in the bible of "other sheep I have that are not of this fold".
CC loved John the Baptist and likened himself to the john. John was a forerunner to Jesus and the gospel in the old world just as he was a forerunner to the gospel in the new world.
CCs fourth voyage proved to be another disaster. This time, mostly due to bad weather and hurricanes. They landed in modern-day Panama and were treated with hostility from the natives as they saw the Spaniards building permanent structures. Their ships were rotting and sinking. They narrowly escaped Panama and sailed to Jamaica. When they landed their ships were in such bad condition that they were shipwrecked. They sent a crew to Santo Domingo in canoes. 7 months later a ship arrived took them to Santo Domingo and then back to Spain. CCs 4rth and last voyage was a failure and lasted 2 1/2 years.

[Addie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know Goodreads shows me taking a year to finish this book, but it wasn't hard to read in the literature/comprehending area: quite the opposite, it was a logistical issue of reading other books by specific deadlines that got in the way of finishing this book. But of all days to start and finish this book, I could think of no other better day than on Columbus Day!

Reading a book about Christopher Columbus from a religious perspective was so refreshing! Specifically because it came from a LDS point of view. All of the additional information from modern revelation was taken into consideration. I've read other books about Columbus, and this book just verified the truthfulness of why he did what he did: that he was really led by the Holy Ghost to the new world, that he was a religious person with religious motives, that according to original documents and journals he was an upright, wonderful man who knew God talked to him and led him across the ocean. In all respects, I highly admire and honor this great man who not only had his baptismal work done, but was even ordained as a high priest. I'm glad I chose to read this book. The documentation in the notes and indexes was easy to understand. Hinckley's list of other books about Columbus is incomparable, and I used his list to add to my personal library of resources.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. Somewhat tedious to read as non fiction usually is but the material he squeezed into this short book was amazing. Columbus was an extremely religious man and he wrote so extensively on his beliefs and how they directed him to know how to discover the New World that other authors dismiss these as fantasy or psychotic and ignore it. Hinckley cut through the excessive verbiage and showed how Columbus was inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit. The author deals with those who believe Columbus did nothing significant, showing Columbus was the only explorer who had a purpose to find land by sailing west and he had carefully prepared himself by many years of exploration, study of ocean currents and use of all 'technology' available. There was no accident in what he did. And like others who may have discovered America he made sure what he saw was documented, identified and that he was able to accurately repeat the journey four times, each time showing the significance of his findings, giving assurance he discovered a continent. And for those who know The Book of Mormon it is evidence of Nephi's prophecy being fulfilled and that Columbus knew he had a divine destiny.

[Kim Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a hard time rating this book. There were a lot of things in it that I found very interesting. Columbus has been vilified recently, and it was refreshing to read something positive about him. Hinckley explained some of the claims made against Columbus. I was shocked, and pleased, to find out that Columbus actually believed he may have found a new continent. All the history books I've seen have said he died thinking he found a way to the East Indies.

The thing that makes this hard for me is that there are a few historical inaccuracies in the book. One of them perpetuates a myth and he has ate least two dates that are sort of right and sort of wrong with the way he has them worded. Those are pretty minor. However, there was a (to me) relatively big mistake dealing with the terms of the French-Indian War. If it weren't for the fact that he documented some of his claims about Columbus (like the continent), I would be inclined to throw much of it out.

I appreciate his documentation, which is why I went ahead and gave the book 4 stars. The things I learned about Columbus were well documented and it gives me someplace to look for more information.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot about Christopher Columbus in this book. It is well researched. I appreciate the perspective from someone who is a practicing member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Columbus believed he was called of God, and Latter-day Saints also believe he was called of God.

I also learned why Brazilians speak Portuguese; it’s because Brazil was settled by the Portuguese. But why? Now I know about the line that was drawn that gave them that opportunity.

I learned what “dead reckoning” means, and that Columbus was really good at doing it.

I liked also that there was some context with the rest of the world’s happenings that were going on that time: the translations and publications of the Bible, the relationships of the kings and queens of the different countries, the Spanish Inquisition, and more.

Also, the greediness of men who were hungry for power and riches—some things never change.

Christopher Columbus faces a lot of challenges, but through it all he continued to believe that he had a mission from God to spread Christianity throughout the world, and to live up to his name of a bearer of Christ. He continued faithful to the end.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book. I learned much about Christopher Columbus that I had never heard before (a result of my public school education, no doubt). I agree with the author than Columbus was inspired by God. While an imperfect vessel, Columbus strove throughout his life to do God's will and was choose by God to do an important work. While not all Europeans shared his vision, Columbus wanted to befriend the native Americans, trade with them, and teach them Christianity. I found the descriptions of his life and voyages and trials to be fascinating. I think Columbus' life and writings are a valuable thing for anyone to study. I didn't give the book five stars only because the author got bogged down at times by uninteresting details, and I would have rather heard more stories instead which are much more interesting and instructive.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not know a lot about Christopher Columbus, his background, or his journeys other than basic information and the heresy that seems to be floating around in our modern culture. This book was a fascinating, fact-filled biography told from a religious LDS perspective. There is a lot of information about the culture of the late 1400's and nonjudgmental information about events that took place, including quotes from Christopher Columbus himself. In a day when there is a lot of misinformation and harsh judgement, I found this biography refreshing and informative. I have a deep sense of respect and gratitude for Christopher Columbus and his life's work.

[Laurie Dewberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I know there is a lot of negative rhetoric about Columbus in recent years and the devastating effects that occurred among the natives after his arrival in the New World, but I feel like this book gives a more balanced and fair perspective on his accomplishments in mastering the trade route from Europe to the West Indies. I was fascinated by the insight into Columbus' overpowering vision of what he was meant to as a result of this mission, and how sure he was that it would succeed. Such a different insight into this man than what is taught in history classes, or at least in my history classes.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by Clark Hinckley, son of Gordon B. Hinckley. Columbus from an LDS perspective as a man inspired by God. Great information from the writings of Columbus that talk about the inspiration in visions he had that compelled him to sail across the sea. He was an awesome sailor. In a time when there was not much help for a mariner, Columbus was able to sail across the sea and back several times, and know where he was often just using dead reckoning, or a feel for where he was and whether he should go forward or wait for light—quite a gift.

[Kara Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a lot of accurate good information about Christopher Columbus. I liked how it focused on his belief that he was called of God and that is the sole reason he went on his journey. Because of God's hand everything else fell in place and happened the way it needed to happen for us to have the country we have. I also liked that there was information on his brothers, sons, wife, friends, and a historical timeline.

[James Biser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very good. It is an explanation of who Christopher Columbus was, how he was inspired and how he is mentioned in the Book of Mormon. It is not the most complete biography of Columbus, but it gives good insight into who he is related to LDS scripture. I recommend this volume to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who want to understand how Columbus in mentioned in the books of Nephi.

[Yvonne Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Places Christopher Columbus in a place of time, the events happening in Europe and his family. Describes his family and the struggles he had to get the commission to sail West. He had a profound insight to what he accomplished and how it would effect the world--such a pivotal point in the happenings on this planet. Has a strong LDS perspective weaved into the book. Being a religious man, he believe this was an important accomplishment to spread Christianity.

[Chuck Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent History Delivered in Eminently Readable Prose

Rife with first person and many observer references, the book presents Columbus' accomplishments as a remarkable sailor and the impact these accomplishment had during the man 's life and beyond. This book is the antidote to scurrilous lies about Columbus being perpetrated by today's Marxist history revisionists.

[Heidi Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting book! I have heard of the atrocities that were committed by Columbus’s men, but didn’t really know much about him, his life, or his journey. I didn’t realize how poorly Columbus was treated soon after his discovery. Some of the things he did were truly amazing. He was also a very religious man, which I didn’t realize. I learned a lot!