Columbus and the World Around Him [Library Binding]

Milton Meltzer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1990

Describes the voyages of Columbus, the terrible impact of the Spaniards on the Indians, and the ultimate cultural influence of the Native Americans on their white conquerors.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up-- In a smoothly flowing, intelligent, and colorful style, Meltzer presents the scant known facts about Columbus' early life, highlights all four of his voyages to the New World, and ends with a portrait of a confused and sickly old man, still fantasizing about the fabulous treasures he never saw. Meltzer paints a bold and unbiased picture of Columbus as a boastful, confident dreamer who refused to believe that the land he discovered was anything other than the eastern edge of the Asian continent. His determination to win a monarch's support for his voyages and his stubborn drive to continue against terrible odds are attributed not only to his desire for wealth but also to his dubious interest in converting heathens. The torture and slaughter of innocent native Americans presents another, less heroic perspective. Meltzer exhibits informed knowledge of his subject; his well-researched use of primary sources, such as logs and other first-hand accounts is exemplary. The bibliography contains Meltzer's cogent comments about the way in which he used the sources and the relative value of each. The handsome volume is enhanced with numerous black-and-white maps and archival reproductions. Meltzer is to be commended for his faithful presentation of Columbus' life, a panoramic view of an era of momentous change, and his creative interpretation of the basic truths to be learned from Columbus' amazing experiences. --Phyllis Graves, Creekwood Middle School, Kingwood, TX
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Library Binding
• Publisher: Franklin Watts (March 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531151484
• ISBN-13: 978-0531151488
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 1.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,146,324 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very byist-, September 11, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Columbus and the World ... Him (Milton Meltzer Biographies) (Hardcover)

This was a good book for the facts but the writer chooses to be byist against the Europeans. He sends out the message that the Native Americans were PERFECT and the Europeans totally destroyed them. i agree that the Europeans massacred the Indians horribly, which was wrong but the Indians had their own flaws too which the author neglects to put in.

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars One star because I couln't give it a zero, August 30, 2005

By 

D. Gallegos "Dewey Gallegos" (University of Wyoming) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Columbus and the World ... Him (Milton Meltzer Biographies) (Hardcover)

More tripe about how one "man" discovered other humans. The "objective" view of this man as a hero is still present, helping to perpetuate the myth that Natives were not as valuable as the oppressors who came to colonize them. I am not the type to say burn books, but this would make great kindling for the fires of truth. You might be able to use it in a discussion of racism and the epestimologies that help create and foster it. There are plenty of Italian people who were heroes, this person is just not one of them.