The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus

by Washington Irving

Modern views of Columbus are overshadowed by guilt about past conquests. Credit for discovering the New World, we are told, belongs to its original inhabitants rather than any European, and Columbus gave those inhabitants nothing apart from death, disease and destruction. Yet, for the Old World of Europe the four voyages of Columbus brought revelation where before there had been only myths and guesswork.People had thought it was only the great distance that made it impossible to reach Asia sailing west from Spain. No one had predicted that a vast continent stood in the way. And indeed, for Columbus himself, the revolution of understanding was too much to comprehend. He had counted on a new route to Asia that would bring him glory, riches and titles, and the thought of an unknown and undeveloped continent held no attractions. The trials and disappointments of the great explorer are graphically detailed in this biography first published in 1828, when Washington Irving was America's most famous writer.

Genres: History, Biography, Classics, Nonfiction, Nautical, Historical, Travel

720 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1828

About the author

People remember American writer Washington Irving for the stories " Rip Van Winkle " and " The Legend of Sleepy Hollow ," contained in The Sketch Book (1820).

This author, essayist, biographer and historian of the early 19th century wrote newspaper articles under the pseudonym Jonathan Oldstyle to begin his literary career at the age of nineteen years.

In 1809, he published The History of New York under his most popular public persona, Diedrich Knickerbocker.

Historical works of Irving include a five volume biography of George Washington (after whom he was named) as well as biographies of Oliver Goldsmith, Muhammad, and several histories, dealing with subjects, such as Christopher Columbus, the Moors, and the Alhambra, of 15th-century Spain. John Tyler, president, appointed Irving to serve as the first Spanish speaking United States minister to Spain from 1842 to 1846.

Reviews

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: for the old world, the four voyages of Columbus, the first in 1492, brought revelation. Before that? Only myth and guesswork.

[Pedro Menchén · Rating 5 out of 5]

La vida de Colón es el libro de aventuras más fascinante que ha existido jamás y el mejor narrador de dicho libro es, sin duda, Washington Irving. Una frase lapidaria de este autor define perfectamente a Colón: "Parece como si su vida hubiera estado destinada a servir de ejemplo de la ingratitud de los hombres".

[Lance Mellon · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 1897 edition version by Collier was falling apart. This is one of my favorite books of all time. Some people say it's a tough read. Last of the Mohicans is a tough read, the White Company is a tough read, but this was a joy. Before the political upheaval about Christopher Columbus; before the glorification in the 50s text books of grammar school this was the real deal. Washington Irving duh, what's not to like. A great book.

[oswald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Irving was a "wit" through and through, and the work is little more than an articulate paraphrase of earlier historians. He doesn't seem to improve substantially on his sources, which often are capable of standing by themselves; the admiral's letters, at least, are more immediate, more revealing, and no less objective than this book. As a partisan of the American spirit I am nonetheless obliged to value it very highly.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am sure this work deserves 5 stars if you grade it on the effort the author put into it. If I were wanting to become an authority on Columbus, this would be a great book to start with. Three stars were all I could give it as it was soooo long and soooo detailed, it took me two weeks reading as much as I could put up with it each day being no more than one or two hours. GOOD BYE COLUMBUS

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

An American classic of unintentional humor.

[Patty Wahlquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent

[Yosef Spear · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read The Voyages of Christopher Columbus written by Bernard Beacroft. About three people exploring the East Cortes and the Aztecs, the Spain and her empire under Philip the second, captain Cook and the Pacific, Luther and the Reformation, the Elizabethan Ship, all in Medieval times. This trip is taken by ship and docking it to walk.
Review
I thought it was a little boring and was like a history lesson, but the adventures were kind of cool. I got confused with the number of characters and the places they went. I did like what they did during the adventure-on sea, in the forest, and other places. It was a cool concept that was kind of taken back in time. I know that Christopher Columbus is not a liked man by the natives so I that gives me a little bias. I wasn’t a huge fan of this book though.

[Max · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I could give this zero stars I would. Washington Irving and his account of Christopher Columbus' career of colonization is directly responsible for today's Flat Earth movement (not to mention it sugar coats a lot of the atrocities Columbus and his crew really carried out). During Christopher Columbus' lifetime it was not commonly believed that the Earth was flat, however, we have plenty of people who now believe the Earth is flat today because of that little embellishment. If I could bring one person back to life for a day it would be Irving just so I could show him how negatively he affected society by writing this book.

[Keith Goodlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irving’s account is enthralling!

An incredible journey written by a master historian and storyteller. His work has been called a “biographical fiction.” How short of the mark is that appellation! Read the book… it is full of nuances and reticence on Irving’s part, who, just like a good historian, weighs the merits of his sources! This bears the ring of truth… If I had the means and ability, this work by Irving would become a movie with all the action and intrigue the author documents… Beautiful read!

[Choco Con Churros · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probablemente el libro que más he disfrutado en toda mi vida.
Estaba febril.
Deseaba terminar pronto cualquier cosa que hiciera para volver al libro. Hasta grosera me hice dejando cualquier cosa o conversación para seguir leyéndolo.