Customer Reviews

Christopher Columbus Mariner (Meridian)

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This is one of several books I have been reading to answer the currently raging debate over Christopher Columbus, explorer or Indian slaughterer? Written in the late 1940's, the author Morison spends the first pages of this book hailing Columbus as the "Discoverer of the New World", which we know is not true. Page 1 also states that "This was the most spectacular and most far-reaching geographical discovery ever recorded in human history." This and other terms of unbridled honor almost turned me off, but I later found that Morison balances his opinions well with candid observations of what Columbus did poorly. He clearly points out that Columbus was a terrible scientist and mathemetician, poor governer over people, a self defeating negotiator, and an absolute failure as a colony planner. Although Columbus was generally very compassionate toward the natives, his short comings eventually lead to absolute bedlam in the "Indies" and when faced with this strife, Columbus and his two brothers responded by killing both natives and Spaniards, which further lead to the expulsion of the Columbus brothers from the region. I found the book to be extremely informative and it gave me a clear picture of how Columbus came to be a hero, victim and tyrant at the same time. Morison makes the conclusion that Columbus was an extroardinary seaman and mariner, and he would have been best served if he had stuck with only that. Every other enterprise Columbus tried only lead to failure and shame. I highly recommend the book despite its antiquated writing style. Buy it.

Morison's book has been roundly decried for any number of baseless reasons. The work is certainly not an apology for Columbus, but it doesn't start off with the currently in vogue premise that the European discovery of America was the work of the devil. Morison's book remains the foundation of any approach to the life of the great explorer. Over-flowing with data and acute observations, it is world's - and oceans - away from the finicky over-intellectualized stuff that passes as 'serious' biography today. Morison clearly appreciates just those features of Colombus that would be anathema in person to most modern published biographers, generally academics, and not men of action.
Morison set out to trace the actual voyages by duplicating the voyages himself. The result remains fascinating, insightful and engaging. The book's greatest value, apart from this investigation, is the authorial voice - commanding and not afraid to speak out. I found it the right voice for a discussion of Columbus, but many today don't like this, finding it presumptious. Given Morison's scope and knowledge perhaps they are the ones who are presumptious.
For another fine book by Morison see His History of the U.S. Navy in World War II.
A newer edition of this work is avaiable in paperback.

Christopher Colubus, Mariner, is a very enlightening novel concerning Christopher columbus and his travels that made him immortal. By reading this book, I discovered many interesting facts about Columbus. Columbus, known by many different names, was not the Mr. Perfect that some people make him out to be. In fact,his life was far from perfection. As Morison's epic story unfolds , the reader becomes more and more connected with the hero. He was a normal person,seeking a place in the world.The readers also get the chance to balance on the edge of their seats as Columbus deals with mutiny,battles with cannibals, befriends natives, and rescues beautiful girls. He faces diseases, mosquitoes, storms, and quicksand. This wonderful, interesting work of art certainly does old Chris justice. Unfortunately, Columbus is'nt here to read it, nor did he receive the respect or the recognition he deserved at the time that he lived.But, like many renowned people- Mozart, Beethoven, and Van Go to name a few- he received his due credit after death.

While Morison does admit to the genocide of the Indians lead by Columbus and his henchmen, it idolizes him for the duration of the book. A brief admittance of guilt, for Morison, is a surefire way of allowing a much more bias, idealistic portrayal of a man with "questionable" character traits. Howard Zinn's book "A People's History of the United States : 1492-Present" gives a much more truthful account of the Spanish invasion of the Americas. While Columbus did achieve many things for Europe, should he be villianized, idolized, or both? Joseph Stalin did a great many things for the Soviet Union. He industrialized Russia, improved the economy, unified the nation-states of Eastern Europe, and mobilized & strengthened the Soviet Army. He also slaughtered 3 million civilians. You be the judge...