Columbus

Author: Zeng Yanyi (Editor)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: We are delighted to recommend the "Giant Biographies Series" to young friends. At the turn of the century, having such a premium series accompany you is a joy in wisdom. We believe that from the footsteps of these giants and masters, you can learn how to properly handle success and failure, comfort and hardship, joy and pain, smoothness and trials, and understand how to face life, how to be a person, how to seek knowledge, how to shape oneself, and how to shape the future.
Principal of Peking University: Zhao Yulin
Party Secretary: Dong Lingsheng
Principal of Tsinghua University: Zhao Qinggang
Giants are the elite of humanity. They have made outstanding contributions to the progress and civilization of human society. Their spirit of struggle and extraordinary achievements are deeply admired by people, becoming models for others to learn from. Giants are human, not gods; they come from ordinary people yet surpass them. Their lofty ideals and the belief that they seek to benefit their country and humanity are the driving force behind their relentless efforts and fearlessness in the face of difficulties.
Principal of Tianjin Nankai: Kang Xiuyan
By carefully reading this series, you will feel as if you see their appearance, manner, and hear their words, and experience their ideals, beliefs, aspirations, and moral integrity. This will help you learn how to be a person, how to pursue knowledge, and how to build a career.
Principal of Fudan University: Cao Tianren
Columbus, while searching for a westward route from Europe to Asia, accidentally discovered the Americas. This had a greater impact on world history than he might have anticipated. His discovery marked a major turning point in history, opening a new era of exploration and colonization in the New World. At the time, Europe's population was growing, and with this discovery, Europeans gained two new continents where they could settle, along with mineral and raw resources that could revitalize the European economy. This discovery led to the destruction of the civilization of the Native Americans. From a long-term perspective, it also led to the emergence of new nations in the Western Hemisphere. These nations were vastly different from the various Native American tribes that had once inhabited the region, and they greatly influenced the countries of the Old World. The outline of Columbus's story is well-known. He was born in Genoa, Italy, in 1451. As he grew up, he became a ship captain and was a skilled navigator. He eventually convinced himself that a feasible sea route to the East existed by sailing west across the Atlantic. He was determined to make this idea a reality. He finally convinced Queen Isabella I to fund his expedition. His ships set sail from Spain on August 3, 1492, and reached the Canary Islands near the coast of Africa. On September 6, they set sail westward from the island. This was a long journey, and the sailors were terrified, wanting to turn back, but Columbus insisted on continuing. On October 12, 1492, land came into view. The following March, Columbus returned to Spain. This victorious explorer was awarded the highest honors. He then made three more transatlantic voyages, attempting to find a direct route to China or Japan. Columbus firmly believed he had found a way to the East, though most people had already realized it was not, yet he still insisted he was correct. Queen Isabella promised Columbus that he could become the governor of any land he discovered. However, as an administrator, he was incompetent and was later dismissed, returning to Spain in chains. In Spain, he was soon released but was never given any official position again. It is widely rumored that he died in poverty, but this is baseless. He died in 1506, quite wealthy.
Who was Columbus? What did he do? How do people view him? His life is filled with mysteries. Why do some people admire him as a hero, praising him 100%, while others condemn him as a villain, showing extreme hostility? The purpose of this book is to introduce Columbus to Chinese readers, especially young people, and explore the reasons behind such drastically different opinions of him.