פרשת קולומבוס

by Steve Berry, סטיב ברי (Author's Hebrew Name), יעל ענבר (Translator)

סוד בן 500 שנה ❖ למה באמת יצא כריסטופר קולומבוס למסעו הנודע בשנת 1492? ❖ מה הקשר בין קולומבוס וגילוי אמריקה להיסטוריה של העם היהודי?

טום סייגן הוא עיתונאי חוקר עטור פרסים, שסיקר כל מקום מסוכן על פני כדור הארץ באומץ וביושר. כשאחד התחקירים שערך ביהודה ושומרון נחשף כהמצאה מוחלטת, מן המילה הראשונה ועד האחרונה, הקריירה המזהירה שלו נהרסת בן לילה. כעת הוא חי בבדידות – רדוף ומיואש ויודע את האמת הצרופה שאין ביכולתו להוכיח: ההתרסקות שלו היא תוצאה של פעולה מכוונת. מישהו רצה למחות את התחקיר שלו מעל פני האדמה.

סייגן מחליט שאין טעם לחייו, אבל לפני שהוא מספיק ללחוץ על ההדק נכנס אל התמונה זר מסתורי שמאלץ אותו לשנות את תוכניותיו. עד מהרה מוצא את עצמו סייגן שקוע עד צוואר בתוך מאבק בינלאומי שתוצאותיו עשויות להשפיע לא רק על וושינגטון, אלא גם על ירושלים ועל העולם כולו. כשהוא שועט במבוך שטני של סודות ושקרים במרדף קטלני של חתול ועכבר, בלי לדעת מי חבר ומי אויב, מדלג סייגן בין וינה לפראג ובסופו של דבר מגיע אל ההר הכחול בג׳מייקה – שם הוא מגלה שהישרדותו תלויה בגילוי של סיפור חייו האמיתי של כריסטופר קולומבוס, גילוי שבכוחו לשנות את ההיסטוריה המוכרת לנו מאז ומעולם.

סטיב ברי הוא מחברם של ספרי מתח שכיכבו בראש רשימות רבי־המכר של ״הניו יורק טיימס״ ותורגמו לעשרות שפות.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Adventure, Mystery Thriller, Suspense

355 pages, ebook

First published May 15, 2012

About the author

 

Steve Berry is the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author of twenty-two novels, which include: The Last Kingdom , The Omega Factor , The Kaiser's Web, The Warsaw Protocol, The Malta Exchange, The Bishop’s Pawn, The Lost Order, The 14th Colony, The Patriot Threat, The Lincoln Myth, The King's Deception, The Columbus Affair, The Jefferson Key, The Emperor's Tomb, The Paris Vendetta, The Charlemagne Pursuit, The Venetian Betrayal, The Alexandria Link, The Templar Legacy, The Third Secret, The Romanov Prophecy, and The Amber Room. Steve has also co-written a novel with Grant Blackwood,  The 9th Man  (a Luke Daniels Adventure), and four novellas with M. J. Rose:  The End of Forever,   The House of Long Ago,   The Lake of Learning,  and  The Museum of Mysteries,  all Cassiopeia Vitt tales. His books have been translated into 41 languages with over 25,000,000 copies in 52 countries. They consistently appear in the top echelon of The New York Times, USA Today, and Indie bestseller lists. Somewhere in the world, every thirty seconds, one of his novels is sold.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by Steve Berry that blows traditional views of the 'founder of the Americas' out of the water and leaves me wondering how much was truth and what might have been fiction. Even reading the author's note, I am left wondering if Berry used his amazing abilities to paint a picture of Columbus that may leave American students rushing back to their history books.

Berry balances what we know about Christopher Columbus and spices it up with much that was never known to me. I wish not to spoil it for anyone, but it surely does leave me wondering if this man was as elusive as he appears in this book (and if many other historical figures have secret histories that are collecting dust). Adding a current storyline, Berry pushes a mystery that keeps the reader intrigued, while peppering us with history and academic references. What begins as a familial strain turns into a story about Columbus, the race to find long-long religious secrets, and how good can conquer evil in the end.

While I did have to take a skeptical look at some that Berry wrote, I am interested to see how much truth lies within these chapters. Berry presents his information very much in the 'Dan Brownsian fashion', leaving me to wonder what truths I can take away from this.

Many kudos, Mr. Berry. I am so excited to see what you have up your sleeve.

[Karen Brooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually love Steve Berry books. I grab them off the shelves and read them quickly because they're genuine page-turners and damn interesting. The Columbus Affair, however, wasn't quite either of these. I turned the pages more to get to the end and it was only interesting in parts.
Basically (without spoiling the story) this novel follows the adventures of a journalist, Tom Sagan, who as the book opens is about to commit suicide. He discovers he’s “the Levite” a keeper of a special Jewish treasure that has ties back to the days of Columbus and his voyages to the Americas. This knowledge sets off a chain of events and dangerous adventures that puts lives on the line (of course!). Spanning Europe, America, Jamaica and South America, the book is, in typical Berry fashion, wide in temporal and geographical scope. It also features the Magellan Billet, though no Cotton Malone.
Overall, however, I felt this book wasn't up to the standard of his others - it was too didactic. Berry was determined to show off his research and the knowledge he gained and subsequently played with (the way he sometimes does this is very clever), but I felt the narrative suffered as a consequence. There was too much telling. Another reason I didn't feel this book was as good as his previous ones was the decision to make a suicidal journalist his main protagonist. I didn’t mind the fact there was no Malone, as much as I like him. No, what made this character so problematic was for reasons the novel makes clear, this guy is basically despised by former colleagues (he’s stripped of his Pulitzer and his once fine reputation is in tatters) and completely alienated from his family. In other words, loathed by everyone. Therefore, it’s hard for the reader to like him as well. He had so few redeeming qualities. Likewise, his daughter, Alle, was a complete pain in the arse. I also found her stupid – and considering she was doing her PhD, some of the decisions she made and conclusions she leapt to, the people she put her faith in, didn’t ring true to me. The main villain, Zacariah, was so bad, a child would have run screaming from him – but not Alle. No, she gave him more chances than a casino. In the end, she came across as more of a convenient and sloppy narrative device that didn’t add any depth or richness to the tale.
I am sure many people will like this book and, really, I give it two and half stars. There are some good moments, some interesting ideas, but it was a bit too black and white and preachy for me. Nonetheless, this hasn’t deterred me. I will look forward to the next Berry book and continue to enjoy reading his back catalogue.

[Mihaela Abrudan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un alt roman reușit de al lui Berry. Istoria populației din Jamaica și evoluția acesteia de la descoperirea ei de către Cristofor Columb este foarte dureroasă. Îmbinând ficțiunea cu evenimente reale sau presupus reale Berry aduce în centrul acțiuni întâmplări tragice din istoria evreilor, ale Jamaicăi și a populației sale. Nu cred că ne-am gândit câtă suferință a însemnat pentru populațiile băștinași descoperirile făcute de Columb. Și pentru ce?

[Jacqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like historic fiction and thrillers, so Steve Berry's The Columbus Affair (Ballantine Books 2012) seemed perfect. Not only did it cover a segment of history I've spent virtually no time at all thinking (much less reading) about, I'm always looking for new authors (I read 1-3 books a week) and Berry has thirteen out. Thirteen! That would get me through over a month!--if Columbus Affair worked out.

This is the story of a damaged Pulitzer Prize winning journalist moments from commiting suicide when he gets the chance to end his life on a high note: Save his estranged daughter from unspeakable horror. This would give meaning to what had become a worthless existence, and he agrees to postpone ending his life long enough to rescue his child. From that moment, he enters a world of religious zealots, long-buried historic events surrounding Christopher Columbus, international criminals, CIA operatives, and a twisted plot that it would take an award-winning investigator (like himself) to unravel.

This is a promising start, but not without its literary problems. For example, the author provides much backstory to share the mysteries surrounding Christopher Columbus. It's interesting in its own right, but knocks the heck out of the plot's momentum. Every time, the story gets moving, it falls into a backstory black hole, like a literary stutter. As if this weren't enough, the pace is also hobbled by the constant scene shifts. They are quick--a couple of pages--but each time, I must re-orient myself before I can enjoy that lovely thriller feeling of being enveloped in another world.

Having said that, the writer is a good storyteller. The characters are nicely constructed and the plot is complex enough to keep the cleverest reader involved. And even by the diverse paradigm of the genre, this one is unusual. Where it abides by the conscripts of a thriller (main character working ever-more-frantically to stop something dramatic from happening), the heroes are not the typical thriller good guys--bigger-than-life, damaged-but-dominant. For the first half the book, it's hard to find a good guy. Each main character has so many flaws in both morals and motivation, its hard to root for them. Zacharias is charismatic and amoral. Alle has let hate for her father corrupt her soul. And Ben--WYSIWYG--a violent strong man with core beliefs he's lived by his entire life. Him, readers can respect if not like.

Overall, Berry is a solid writer with a well-researched plot. I think many people will love this book, as much for the fascinating historic details about Columbus as the tightly woven character-driven plot. Just make sure you pay attention.

[Ricky · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay. Um, what the hell happened to a story with such great potential?

Steve Berry is normally a very good thriller writer, just like James Rollins and Clive Cussler. But some way, somehow, he really dropped the ball on this latest novel.

Basically, it's another kind of "historical conspiracy" story in which the life and times of a popular figure get toyed with and fictionally subverted. In this case, Christopher Columbus. In the present day, a controversial journalist, Tom Sagan, is swept into the quest of a zealot named Zachariah Simon who wants to discover evidence of this conspiracy. Yes, it's a stand-alone book, outside the long-established Cotton Malone series Berry has been publishing since 2006. To be honest, I wish he would keep going with those books. Perhaps he wanted to take a little time to come up with something worthy of topping The Jefferson Key.

But I really couldn't get more than 100 pages into this book, for three reasons. One, the fact that pretty much every other word is "Jew," because the main character is Jewish. It would have been just fine to say it once or twice and leave it at that. Two, the constant insertion of bizarre separate stories, written in italics, that really don't have anything to do with the story. This same flaw is present in Orson Scott Card's Pathfinder, which is one of my least-favorite books ever. And three, Berry pretty much gives away the whole plot twist way too early. Like, page 50 early.

I don't think I've ever been so embarrassed to have had something on hold at the library for over three months. Well, maybe for Mission: Impossible 2. I'm just glad I chose to read City of Lost Souls first.

Hopefully, Berry's next book will be an awesome continuation of the Cotton Malone series. And then this book will just become Berry's equivalent of Rollins' Altar of Eden, a stand-alone book that's pretty much just crappy filler until more real literature is produced. Edit: Berry has confirmed that he is writing the eighth Cotton Malone book, The King's Deception, which is set to come out next year. May it be a massive improvement over this turkey travesty.

[fleurette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took a long time to review this book because I don't have much thought about it. It is great entertainment that will be completely forgotten in the next month, so much so that in the middle of the year I won't be sure what the title of this book was. But it fully fulfilled its role of being a good but uncomplicated entertainment. It was exactly what I needed at that moment.

I cannot underestimate the imagination of the author, who is brilliantly able to use various real events in history to create a complex and interesting plot. Unbelievable enough to be interesting and credible enough to arouse the imagination of the readers. And most of this complicated plot really makes sense. This is a very good job that Steve Berry is known for. It may not be his best book, but it is still quite good.

For some reason I thought it was going to be one of the Cotton Mallon books. I'm not sure why. But I'm not disappointed. Tom Sagan is a good main character, interesting and complicated. Although the character of his daughter sometimes drove me crazy with her stereotypical nature. I would prefer a stronger figure in her place. But in the end it wasn't a big problem.

All in all, it's a nice book that I've had a lot of fun with. I will certainly read a few more books by this author in the future. They're pretty good.

[Richard Gazala · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the second Monday of every October since it became an official federal holiday in 1937, Americans celebrate the anniversary of Christopher Columbus' first arrival in the Americas in 1492. Similar official holidays commemorate the event in Latin and South America, and in Spain. Unofficial remembrances of Columbus' feat predate by hundreds of years the official holidays. But as Steve Berry amply demonstrates in his engaging new thriller, "The Columbus Affair," no one really knows much about the man they've been honoring in scads of Octobers dating back centuries -- perhaps because that is exactly the way Columbus wanted it.

Among scant facts known surely is the date of Columbus' departure from Spain to find a new seaway to India. Columbus sailed from the Spanish port of Palos de la Frontera late on the evening of August 2, 1492, bare hours before Ferdinand and Isabella's royal deadline for all Jews to be gone from Spain by August 3. Combining these and the handful of other verifiable facts about Columbus with a myriad of mysteries surrounding everything about the storied explorer from his real name, to his actual birthplace and upbringing, to his physical appearance, to his true religion, Berry weaves an enthralling tale of dangerous modern-day treasure hunting spanning locales from Florida to Jamaica via Vienna, Prague and Cuba. The reluctant hunter at the novel's center is a bitter, broken man named Tom Sagan. Stripped of his family and profession for reasons both just and unjust, the disgraced former journalist finds his imminent suicide interrupted by a forced quest to discover the real Columbus and a legendary treasure, with Sagan's life and the life of his estranged daughter hanging on every perilous step he takes.

Berry tells Sagan's captivating story with breakneck pacing, and the plot never slows down. Alone, those make the book a worthwhile read. The addition of a section at the novel's end titled "Writer's Note," where Berry shares the fruits and dead ends of his research into the real Columbus, makes the book even more engrossing.

[Seeley James · Rating 3 out of 5]

My wife loves Steve Berry and the historical tidbits that litter his thrillers. She asked me to review it. Normally I subscribe to the ‘if you can’t say anything nice…’ policy. I am and I am not a fan of Steve Berry. I like his stories, his settings, and many of his historical elements. I find his writing annoying. Really annoying. Maybe Ballantine is paying by the word, but in my estimation, Mr. Berry is in dire need of an editor.

More on that later. First, let me state the positives. There are many. This is a book with incredible depth on Judaism. He puts forth Jewish rites, history, and struggles with details lovingly and respectfully told without alienating non-religious or history-bereft readers. The book, like all his work, is rich with historical details. His background on Jamaica, Columbus, Spain, Austria, and the Middle East is comprehensive and trustworthy. We can read the story with faith in the author’s extensive research while intuitively knowing where he departs from historical fact to forge his own fiction. This book has another great benefit: It is devoid of Cotton Malone. I’m married to a lawyer, I know many lawyers, end up at lawyer conventions twice a year, and I could never see one of them doing the James Bond thing. Sorry, but I wouldn’t trust a lawyer with my son’s BB gun. (I have on occasion called lawyers at 3AM for a quick rescue at the local precinct; and have always said, ‘no one likes a lawyer until they need one’… but enough about me.) If you can put up with all Mr. Berry’s writing transgressions, you will love this book. Buried among the 140,000 unending words is a compelling and interesting story of about 70-80,000 words.

Writing transgressions? Annoying? What on earth do you mean? Click HERE.

[Book Him Danno · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book, fast moving and the action never stops. Although, putting my prejudice of loving everything Steve writes aside, he weaves a story that could be entirely plausible. The book also draws upon the interplay between a daughter and her estranged father, that won’t resolve itself until near the end of the book.

The 1st chapter introduces us to Tom Sagan, a Pulitzer Prize winning reporter, now disgraced and accused of fabricating a story. We learn in the 1st chapter, that he tried to clear his name, but there was a cover up, protecting the people who brought him down, so he comforts himself with ghost writing, which pays well and keeps his name out of the news. But, then he decides life is not worth living, if he can’t be a reporter.

As the story opens, Tom is putting the gun to his head to end his life. Simon shows up at the door of Tom’s parent’s old house, where, he has gone to end his life. Simon shows Tom a video that so horrifies him, it causes him to give up his idea of suicide and go on a quest that will change his life and the life of his daughter forever.

In the next chapter we are introduced to Béne, who is a great man, at least in his own eyes. Life is cheap where he lives and cheap to him also. If someone crosses him, he simply turns them loose to get off his island as best they can, but a few minutes later he also turns loose his hunting dogs “and they never eat what they don’t kill themselves.” Through a series of circumstances, he also becomes involved in the hunt for the truth about Columbus, but the part he plays, given his character, is a surprise to us all.

“Zachariah Simon has the look of a scholar, the soul of a scoundrel and the zeal of a fanatic.” I don’t know that I agree with this description of him, it seems a bit too easy on him. I would describe him as a cruel user, a terrorist and one who thinks human life is not worth his “quest.”

Zachariah Simon is the impetus that causes Tom Sagan to go on a quest that his father wanted him on, many years ago. It is a dangerous game they play, especially Tom’s daughter, Allie.

While each of the characters are on the quest for a different reason, in the end, they all come together to discover the truth about who Christopher Columbus really was and what has been hidden for centuries, in the caves of Jamaica .

Excellent read! Eileen

[Suspense Magazine · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Steve Berry announced last year that his popular character Cotton Malone would be taking some time off, fans were worried. What they didn’t take into account was that Steve was still going to write, just use another character. What was the outcome; One of Steve’s best books to date, “The Columbus Affair,” with new character Tom Sagan.
Tom is a man that has hit bottom. Winning awards for his writing while working at the Los Angeles Times and now working as a ghostwriter, where many of his books hit the bestseller list only under someone else’s name, Tom is getting ready to pull the trigger on his life. However when a man shows up with a picture of his daughter, a relationship between the two that was also on the rocks, Tom needed to step up.
Christopher Columbus is one of the most recognizable names in World History; however he also has one of the most mysterious pasts. In true form to his past books, Steve is able to push the boundaries of historical fiction, by bringing to light some of the mystery behind Columbus, but keeping the action at the highest level. Do I dare say that Cotton Malone has met his match in Tom Sagan, you bet I will. “The Columbus Affair” is an instant classic.

Reviewed by John Raab, CEO/Publisher of Suspense Magazine

[Verce Hristovska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like always I was amazed by the intriguing and fantastic mix of the world of history and fiction

[Dorina Danila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un thriller ca un joc de ping-pong în care ești trimis de pe un mal al altul al Atlanticului, că nici nu apuci să-ți tragi sufletul și să-ți dai seama ce se întâmplă. Din Jamaica în Viena, din Orlando în Praga, lucrurile se derulează cu o viteză amețitoare. Totul în căutarea unei mine de aur ascunsă într-o peșteră, a unei comori a evreilor furată din templul de la Ierusalim și a mormântului lui Columb. Ce au toate astea în comun? Jamaica. Și imaginația lui Steve Berry. O carte captivantă.
https://dorinadanila.com/2020/01/22/a...

[Violeta Petrovska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Afera ili ne...jas sum izlegla od realnosta uzivajki so Kolumbo

[Ishraque Aornob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice historical thriller.. As a historical fiction it's very nice. A lots of information about Columbus, his voyage, discovery, controversy and the Jewish religion. But as a crime thriller it's quite normal. A nice read.

[Gritcan Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivanta pana la ultimul cuvânt. Fanilor lui Dan Brown sigur o sa le placa:)

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know why but I LOVE these kinda books! And Steve Berry delivers a good one :) He is my latest addition of authors to read.

[Monnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the start, this book reminded me of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, except instead of a renowned symbologist fighting off bad guys to find the secrets of the Holy Grail that could change the world for Christians everywhere, we have a disgraced Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter fighting off bad guys to find secrets of treasures that could change the world for Jews everywhere. And instead of secrets surrounding Mary Magdalene, the focus is on secrets of Christopher Columbus and his visits to the New World (Jamaica in particular). The basic premise, which has been in the news on and off for many years, is that Columbus may have been a Jew whose search for the New World was in fact an attempt to find a safe haven for others of his real faith, which he kept hidden in order to avoid persecution.

One thing bothered me a bit at the outset. Several different factions are vying to get to the bottom of Columbus's secrets, although for different reasons that aren't totally clear to readers. That keeps things moving along and the reader wondering how it all will come together in the end, but almost every chapter jumps to a different perspective. In one way, that's good -- but it's also a bit frustrating because just as you're totally immersed in one perspective and chomping at the bit to see what happens next, you're plopped down in another.

At least that was my opinion for the first half (give or take a couple of percentage points) of the book. After that, though, the action got more intense as the bad guys were separated from good guys and the reasons behind what each was doing became more clear. At that point, jumping around is exactly what's needed to keep me on the edge of my easy chair the rest of the way.

Another plus with this book is that since it's a novel - but based on history (and/or speculated to have been history) - it's hard to know what's real and what isn't. Berry makes it easy, though, by including a section at the end that separates fact from fiction (complete with links to the chapter in which the references appear, for you Kindle readers). As with Dan Brown's book, the amount of research it must have taken for Berry to develop the plot here is quite impressive. How much truth is in either book remains a mystery to me even with the explanations at the end, but after all, isn't that half the fun? Well done!

[Dani Shuping · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by Goodreads Giveaway

Former Pulitzer Prize winning investigative reporter Tom Sagan is ready to end his life. He’s been called a fraud, his career has ended, his daughter won’t speak to him...what’s left for him? And then...a stranger shows up on his doorstep saying that if Tom doesn’t help him, his daughter will be killed. And Tom is pulled into a whirlwind adventure to solve a mystery dating back to Christopher Columbus and a lost treasure that has been missing for over 2,000 years. This journey will lead Tom, his daughter, and the stranger on a journey from Florida, to Europe, and to Jamaica where the mystery will finally be solved....and everything that we know about Christopher Columbus is changed.

I’ve just recently discovered Steve Barry’s novels and was excited to be able to have a chance to read the ARC of his next book, The Columbus Affair. This book follows the similar pattern of his other works, being based in part on historical fact and incredibly well researched, with elements of fiction mixed in. But unlike his other books I’ve read this one just didn’t grab me the same way. In part, because I had trouble relating to the characters. While Tom was a some sympathetic character, his daughter and Simon (the stranger) just seemed completely devoid of any trace of reality. In fact any time the daughter opened her mouth and spoke I wanted to slap her because she came off as so shallow and stupid. I also thought the book was a bit too long. Halfway through the book I was convinced that we were almost done because it seemed like we had solved the mystery and the book had reached its climatic point and then it kept going on.

But...even with these two faults the mystery created about the lost treasure, a different type of story about Christopher Columbus, and the history mixed in created an entertaining and interesting story that was worth the read in the end. Barry does an excellent job of research and weaving historical elements into the story. Overall I’d give the book 4 out 5 stars.

[Albert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a long time Steve Berry fan. His novels are full of action and intrigue with a good dose of historical intrigue to tantalize and well as teach. The adventures of Cotton Malone and the Magellan Billet are fast paced and thrilling.
The Columbus Affair is a departure, but not too far away, with the Magellan Billet making a brief appearance. The premise in this novel is an intriging premise, that Columbus was actually not Italian or Spanish, but actually of Jewish descent and the voyage that founded the Americas was actually a desperate attempt to secure the safety of the holiest of all Jewish treasures; The Temple Treasures thought lost forever.
The main protaganist is Tom Sagan, a man born Jewish but converted to Christianity early on in his adulthood and through his own choices; having removed himself from his faith and his family. The truth is that Tom is neither a Christian or a Jew and his faith is self serving. Tom is a famous and respected reporter whose hard hitting exposes end up turning on him as he is exposed as having false sources and the eventual disgrace destroys him professionally and privately.
The Columbus Affair is the story of Tom's own voyage back to his faith and his redemption as he searces for the Temple Treasures, left to his own safekeeping by his estranged father.
While much slower paced than the Cotton Malone series, the Columbus Affair is in itself a strong fast moving novel of intrigue and faith. A Good Read.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been seven years since Steve Berry last did a standalone book. Was this as good as a Cotton Malone book? Well I have to say no to that. I really enjoy the Malone series and at times this felt like a weaker version. But once I got pass the idea of no Malone I started enjoying this a lot more.

A two-fold adventure one storyline centers on Jamaican Bené Rowe who is searching for a hidden mine to help out his people, the other on US ex-journalist Tom Sagan who is pulled into a web of conspiracy due to his estranged father.

This is a Steve Berry novel so it's full of ancient conspiracies, myths and legends. This time it is based around Christopher Columbus and the "real" reason for his voyages of discovery. Compared to his other books though this one is fairly toned down. There's a lot less action (that's what happens when you replace a super-spy with a journalist), and a lot less travel. Though the settings in Jamaica sounded great. I would like to visit there one day.

Overall this wasn't up to the same level of the Malone books. It was enjoyable though and I can understand Berry wanting to take a break. Can't wait for him to return to what he does best though.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy the way Steve Berry inner weaves historical facts with a fast moving thriller to create a satisfying read. At the end of each book he fills the reader in on the historical facts and where he took liberties for the story.

This was an interesting book the combined Christopher Columbus, Jamaican history and the lost Jewish temple treasures.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read book along with audiobook: It just flat-out delivered. Great story woven around facts and speculation. I found no flat spots. Left me with a lot of food for thought.

[Vladimir Trandafir · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2

[Chalice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of Berry's standalone novels, although Stephanie Nelle does make an appearance and one of the players is in the Magellan Billet. However, Cotton and Co. do not appear in the novel.

We have Tom - disgraced journalist, father, and son - as our main character. He is on the verge of committing suicide when he is contacted by someone who claims his daughter is in danger. That call sets off an adventure that has Tom confronting his past, his relationship with his family, and his heritage.

Poor Tom needed to get some backbone and set about changing his circumstances, but it seems he was so beaten down by life - situations that were his fault and situations that weren't - that he couldn't make a move. But his daughter! So annoying! I understand - we tend to know our parents on a superficial level because we know them in one role when, like all other humans, they are much more complex than we can admit. But she was more than awful to him, especially considering that she seemed most angry about his actions against her mother rather than herself. She was somewhat immature and naive and that was how he got dragged into that mess in the first place!

This wasn't my favorite Berry novel - the history seemed to drag more than usual. But I'm reading them all this year, so I've checked this one off. I guess I've just gotten used to Cotton and his group and I wanted that familiarity. Poor authors who have popular series and want to write something else!

[Emil Călinescu]

Excelenta carte, exact ce trebuie. Atentie, insa: la final de tot este un capitol numit NOTA AUTORULUI. Acolo autorul arata exact ce este realitate, ce este fictiune si ce este zvon. Eu zic ca prin acel capitol autorul a facut ceea ce Blaga numea candva "strivirea corolei de minuni a lumii". Mie mi se pare ca aceasta carte e mult mai misto FARA acele precizari. Dar e doar o parere :)

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I liked the book. I've listened to several other books by Steve Berry--some with Cotton Malone as protagonist. Berry's novels cover many geographical areas, & I found it a little difficult to follow the movements from place to place. "The Columbus Affair" story moves from Florida to Jamaica, to Austria & Prague. It follows the actions of Tom Sagan, a disgraced reporter, Zachariah Simon, a zealous Jew, who is trying to achieve an upheaval in Jerusalem which will create war so that Jews can build a new Temple. Then there is Rene Rowe in Jamaica, a rich native who is also involved in the search for what is believed that Christopher Columbus had buried on Jamaica. The premise is that Columbus was a Jew & helped preserve some of the Jewish heritage.

Berry always includes notes at the end of his books that detail actual historical events and what Berry has included that is his own invention. When I read historical fiction, I wonder, especially when a book covers people & places that I'm unfamiliar with, how much is based on what is truly historical fact. I learned that Berry is well-versed in history & can be relied to do his research. One reviewer said that he reads the Author's notes before reading the book. I think I will do this in the future.

So, the book was interesting in it's premise, & I learned a great deal about the geographical areas it covers. And although some of the events do test credibility, the twists & suspense are compelling. I'm looking forward to reading more of Steve Berry's books.

[Paul Pessolano · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Columbus Affair” by Steve Berry, published by Ballantine Books.

Category – Mystery/Thriller

Steve Berry is one of the best writers today that incorporate historical fact and fiction so well that it is very difficult to tell the difference between the two. This is largely due to how well Barry has researched the subject of his book.

In “The Columbus Affair”, there are certain aspects of what we have all been taught about Christopher Columbus that are questioned.
Was Christopher Columbus Catholic? Could he have been Jewish? Was he seeking a new world or a place to practice the Jewish faith? Tom Sagen is an investigative reporter who has won a Pulitzer Prize but has everything taken away from him when one of his stories is deemed false and uncreditable. On the verge of suicide he becomes involved in finding the three lost treasures of the Jewish faith. He does so reluctantly and only because his estranged daughter is being held captive. The search takes Tom from the United States, to Austria, to Prague, and Jamaica. Tom also must solve a riddle that will lead him to the treasures but only at considerable risk to anyone who attempts to locate them.

A true Steve Berry thriller that has everything you would expect, mystery, historical fact, fiction, action, and things unexpected.

For those who read Steve Berry this is not a Cotton Malone, Cassiopeia Vitt novel, this one stands alone but has all the excitement of his prior novels.

[Angela Risner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know, I know, a lot of you gave me heck for my last couple of reviews of the Cotton Malone books. Well, I am happy to announce that I have found out why those books were less than worthy: Cotton Malone.

I am sure that Steve Berry loves the character of Cotton Malone; he's the character that put his writing on the map. But I submit that Cotton's stories are becoming more difficult to write as it's harder to make them fresh.

In any case, this book is back to the standards set by Berry's earlier novels.

The novel follows Tom Sagan, who is about to off himself when a strange man shows up on his doorstep. The hypothesis of the book is that Christopher Columbus was Jewish and that he brought some important religious objects to the New World. Throughout time one man, known as The Levite, protects this treasure. The man who stops Tom from killing himself believes that Tom has the knowledge to find the objects.

The facts and fiction mingle well in this story. And there are a lot more facts than you might guess. Thankfully, Berry always lets us in on the true/false game at the end of his books.

This book kept me interested. I even found myself thinking about it during the day at work. It definitely made me want to learn more about Christopher Columbus and the mystery that surrounds the man. It was also great to learn about the people of Jamaica.

I highly recommend this book. This one is worth your time if you're a Berry fan.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Another fantastic book by Steve Berry (who is tied with James Rollins as my favorite author).

As you might gather from the title, the story of Christopher Columbus plays a large role in this book. But, as with all of Mr. Berry's novels, he has woven a tale comprised of equal parts true current events, historical fact, and some very convincing imagination on his part. The story begins Florida with a disgraced journalist, Tom Sagan, and his nonexistent relationship with his daughter. It then moves to Jamaica, London, Vienna, Prague, and back again. It is a fast-paced book with the action never slowing and I was hooked from page 1. To say more would be to tamper with the reading experience, and I don't want to do that!!

As with all Mr. Berry's novels, you never know until the very end (and I DO mean the very end) of the book what is real and what was supplied by his imagination. (Mr. Berry is known for his epilogues where he separates fact from fiction and even supplies source materials for the reader to consult.)

A lot of Mr. Berry's books are part of a series involving a spy-like character and his fictitious agency; however, this is one of several of his standalone books. Anyone who enjoys thrillers, current events, and/or historical fiction will definitely enjoy this book. I unreservedly give it a five star rating and highly recommend it!!

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steve Berry rolls out another historical drama -- this one spanning the globe -- Florida, Jamaica, Prague, Vienna. Missing are Cotton Malone and Cassiopeia Vitt, and the Magellan Billett and Stephanie Nelle make only token appearances.

As usual, the historical intrigue is ever-present, and fact & fiction are deftly woven into a plausible tapestry. But while Berry's prior efforts are almost uniformly five-star material, this one falls a bit short.

Without his anchor characters, Berry seems to flounder a bit. The protagonists here are only marginally developed, and lapse into charicatures, more than personalities. We have the depressed journalist, the estranged daughter and the wealthy villain, none of whom are developed to the depth that I would like to see. I didn't find myself establishing the close identity with the cast that I usually do in a Berry yarn.

While the story is compelling, and many of the vehicles very clever, there is an uneven jumpiness about the pace that proves more distracting as the book proceeds.

To be sure, Berry has set the bar very high in his previous efforts, so I may be judging a bit more harshly than had this been a debut effort. It is still a nicely crafted tale, and, as usual, the Historical Notes at the end are alone worth the price of the entire book. A good, but not great, effort.