Christopher Columbus and the Conquest of Paradise: Second Edition (Tauris Parke Paperbacks) [Paperback]

Kirkpatrick Sale (Author)

Book Description

Series: Tauris Parke Paperbacks | Publication Date: May 18, 2006

Christopher Columbus' arrival on a small Bahamian island in 1492 is often judged to be a defining moment in the history of mankind, changing forever the map of the world. Kirkpatrick Sale offers readers a unique take on Columbus and his legacy, separating the man from the legend. Sale also looks at the global consequences of the discovery, revealing the colossal impact this brief moment in history had not only on a continent but also on the world. Now with a new introduction by Sale, this classic book is being re-issued for the 500th aniversary of Columbus' death in the heart of Castille.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This wide-angled history represents a major rethinking of the relationship between Europe and America."--Publishers Weekly

"In the flood of new Columbus scholarship, this certainly merits a place on all libraries' shelves."--Library Journal
"This is a work of haunting attraction, of splendid magnitude, illuminating scholarship and compelling strength and imagination...I am filled with admiration."--Joseph Heller
"At once magnificent and important."--Financial Times
"To Sale's credit, he preserves for the reader the aura of mystery with which Columbus shrouded himself. By so doing, he has given us a fascinating account of the life and times of the man with whom, as Sale nicely puts it, the modern world begins."--Ron Grossman, Tribune
"In Kirkpatrick Sale's eloquent and passionate treatment, Columbus and the Columbian legacy become a paradigm for the ruthless expansion of Western Europeans overseas. Sale's examination of Columbus has a hard-minded quality that cuts through much obfuscation and legend--Sale has written a work of considerable virtues."--American Historical Review

About the Author

Kirkpatrick Sale is the author of twelve books, and is a contributing editor for The Nation. He lives in Cold Spring, NY.

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Tauris Parke Paperbacks (May 18, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1845111540
• ISBN-13: 978-1845111540
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,069,554 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #60 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( C ) > Columbus, Christopher

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars An Anti-Columbus piece of trash!, October 9, 2010

By 

Michael J. Hall - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Christopher Columbus and the Conquest of Paradise: Second Edition (Tauris Parke Paperbacks) (Paperback)

Don't expect anything close to history from this book. The author, Kirkpatrick Sale, is described by the book as "a writer, editor and environmental activist." The book is filled with unsupported criticism of Columbus, and the only certainty one can find in the book is that the author hates Christopher Columbus. For example, consider the author's psychoanalysis of Columbus on page 49:

"It is almost as if [Columbus] had an imperfect understanding of the line between truth and falsity--or perhaps more accurate, he did not consider that distinction morally or technically important, so long as higher ends were involved."

Where a typical author might say that Columbus was born in Genoa, the comparable passage from Sale would likely read as follows: 'Christopher Columbus caused untold pain to his mother during his birth. His sadistic streak was evident, even then, as he displayed indifference to her suffering.'

For a less biased account, read the Penguin Classics "Christopher Columbus: The Four Voyages."

13 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book on the savagery and brutality of Columbus and Spanish imperialism, February 20, 2007

By 

Future Watch Writer (Washington, D.C. Area) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christopher Columbus and the Conquest of Paradise: Second Edition (Tauris Parke Paperbacks) (Paperback)

This book is a classic and a great overview to the birth of the "new world", the European conquest of two giant continents. Columbus was backed by Ferdinand and Isabella, the King and Queen of Spain, who presided over one of the most murderous regimes in Renaissance Europe. They gave us both the Spanish Inquisition and the most brutal campaign against the Jews prior to Hitler's holocaust. Here are two books that help place Columbus in perspective: Dogs of God: Columbus, the Inquisition, and the Defeat of the Moors and The Spanish Inquisition: A History.

This book shows the grim fate that awaited native Americans as a result of the "discovery" of a new target for Spanish imperialism. A contemporary account, written shortly after Columbus arrived is A Brief Account of the Destruction of the Indies. One wonders how anybody could even consider having a "Columbus Day" parade after reading this book. I have some other interesting books about crimes against native Americans on the Listmania list on my profile page.

6 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ron is Right, February 28, 2009

By 

D. Harrington (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christopher Columbus and the Conquest of Paradise: Second Edition (Tauris Parke Paperbacks) (Paperback)

Ron's review of this book is absolutely correct in that we cannot and must not judge other cultures and times by our own (lack of) standards and moral values. Today is today, yesterday is yesterday, and never the twain shall meet. If we think about it, people in past ages would be absolutely horrified to see the lack of respect current in today's society. They would judge us very harshly indeed. The things Columbus did pale in comparison to what we do to each other in 2009.