John S. C. Abbott

Gebundenes Buch

The Life of Christopher Columbus

Beschreibung

This is one of the most enthralling and all-encompassing biographies ever written about Christopher Columbus, the man who changed the course of world history with his voyages over the Atlantic Ocean. Renowned history writer John S. C. Abbott takes the reader on a no-holds-barred-and remarkably objective-ride from Columbus's background and life, to his struggle in the courts of Portugal and Spain to gain acceptance for his radical idea of sailing west to reach the east-and the astonishing details of his four voyages to the New World and their aftermath. Abbott spares no detail in highlighting the bravery, achievements, and staggering feats which paved the way for European colonization of the New World. But he also deals equally dispassionately with the less savory aspects which followed the Spanish settlements-such as the fact that most of Columbus's crews were criminals recruited only with the promise of pardons, the institution of slavery, and the resultant practical extermination of the Indians on the Caribbean islands. Throughout this breathtaking narrative, Abbott never loses touch with the human aspects of Columbus's life, and ends with an assessment which gives an indication of the struggles and tribulations faced by the simple man from Genoa: "His eventful life was, on the whole, one of the most joyless and full of trouble of which we have any record. That he had his faults all will admit. That those blemishes of character were redeemed by many and exalted virtues, few candid minds will deny."

Autor

The son of Jacob and Betsey Abbott, historian, minister, and pedagogue John S. C. Abbott was born in Brunswick, Maine (September 19, 1805 - June 17, 1877). He was Jacob Abbott's brother and worked alongside him to operate Abbott's Institute in New York City and to write his collection of succinct historical biographies. Dr. Abbott earned his undergraduate degree from Bowdoin College in 1825, completed his theological training at Andover Theological Seminary, and preached in Massachusetts' Worcester, Roxbury, and Nantucket before leaving the Congregational Church in 1844. Abbot's biography in The Biographical Dictionary of America (1906) states that he was gifted with an exceptionally clear and active mind and that he could leave the topic at hand for something completely different before returning to his previous work without the slightest inconvenience. He was also endowed with a singularly even temperament; by his personal best as well as by his books, he had a great influence on the world, and he remained active in work almost until the time of his death, to which he contributed greatly.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Blurb
• Seitenzahl: 206
• Erscheinungstermin: 23. Mai 2019
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 235mm x 157mm x 16mm
• Gewicht: 457g
• ISBN-13: 9781388979089
• ISBN-10: 138897908X
• Artikelnr.: 50909559