Christopher Columbus

And How He Received and Imparted the Spirit of Discovery

By: Justin Winsor

Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon

This classic biography should be mandatory listening for all academicians. Winsor, a historian, poet, literary critic, and fiction writer, retraces every important aspect of Columbus' fascinating life, from his family origins to his beliefs and convictions. Columbus emerges as a living, breathing human being with passions and ideas: a man possessing intellect and imagination enough to believe that the earth was round, not flat. Winsor's opus represents an honest search for the truth.

Public Domain (P)1992 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Reproduction of a very old book from 1891

This reads (listens) very much like a college history course. It is detailed to the point of boring in some cases. In any event, the book is as complete a history of Columbus that you will find.

Like listening to a text book.

This is definitely not a David McCullough, style retelling of history.
This is more like listening to someone reading a text book or journal article.
I don’t know why the author couldn’t use some footnotes. The constant telling of what obscure paper this is located and who wrote it and who talked about it and who wiped with it.

It was a true herculean task getting through this book.

The one thing I did like is it is very mater of fact. No ridiculous political spin. No Columbus was horrible blah blah. The book tells you about what we know about Columbus and his age well and precisely. Yes, slavery happened and yes Columbus was ok with it but unfortunately so was everyone else on planet Earth, practically, back in those times.
The question is; can you make it through this book? It is not an easy listen in anyway. Sorry but true.