Customer Reviews

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

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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."

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.

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.

"The Conquest of Paradise" is an overview of what was, at the same time, one of the most eventful and brutal acts in the history of exploration. The Spaniards, coming off the Reconquista against the anti-Christian Moors proceed onward and outward in their desire to spread the faith and get rich.

Columbus, looking for a shorter route to the Spice Islands of the East, decides on a South Atlantic route, thereby hopefully missing the northern and, to his mind, largely worthless lands that the Scandinavians discovered five hundred years earlier. In a very real sense, Columbus fails. He comes aground on a southern archipeligo of the very lands he tried to avoid. He doesn't know it, though, and, to the end of his life, believes that his various explorations were to the mainland and islands of Asia.

It doesn't really matter. Columbus and his motley crew, enslave and misuse the "Indians". They force them to search for gold and other riches. The natives are decimated by Spanish raids and disease...and...the Spaniards are only vaguely apologetic.

The previous reviewer is, however, dead wrong. It is both incorrect and foolish to judge people of previous ages by our own standards. By the standards of the late fifteenth century, it wasn't considered wrong to enslave pagans and force them to the cross. It was, after all--according to the Pope--for their ultimate good. Columbus, and even the various conquistadores, should be judged by the standards of their own day. To the extent that they failed to live up to those moral standards, they were wrong even evil. To the extent that they followed the dictates of their own faith, they were right by the standards of their day. What did the man say, "Judge not that ye be not judged." Right on. Celebration of Columbus Day...the accomplishments of a unique and courageous man...is well justified.

Ron Braithwaite author of novels--"Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"--on the Spanish Conquest of Mexico