What do you think?
Rate this book
Columbus and the Age of Discovery
An illustrated companion volume to the PBS series looks at the social, political, and intellectual history of Christopher Columbus, exploring the voyages and present-day repercussions
370 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1991
2 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 31, 2018
Heritage Studies Book 5
Columbus and the Age of Discovery by Zvi Dor-Ner is based off a PBS documentary that aired in the early 1990’s nearing the quincentennial of the Columbus voyages. It also touches upon the lives and expeditions of other explorers in early history.
We learn about Cheng Ho, a Chinese explorer who sailed the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea in the beginning of the 15th century. He also coasted around Japan, Bangkok, India, and even the eastern coast of Africa. The Arabs were masters of the sea and land routes for trade but they never attempted to leave Asia and explore the oceans. Both civilizations had the technology (their boats were agile and built strong, most likely would’ve survived a trip into the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans) but never continued to sail and find new lands.
Dor-Ner gives a short biography of Columbus; we learn where and how he grew up and how through different jobs he held helped mold the curious and adventurous explorer we know today. He walks us through the trials and tribulations he had to face to get the financing for his journeys; England, Portugal and Spain would decline him, the latter later turning over their decision after the second meeting.
In between the voyages we learn about Portugal and how the country became a powerhouse of exploration and trade like their Spanish neighbors. There were many others that explored and coasted the western coast of Africa, but Vasco da Gama was the first to round the Cape of Good Hope and reach India. They would go on to monopolize the spice and silk trade through the Indian Ocean.
Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci and Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan are also detailed. With the accomplishments of these two men Europe’s thinking about the size of the Earth and its geography changed forever.
The book is filled with wonderful art and maps detailing the routes taken of all the voyages touched upon. My favorite were the old maps that sailors and navigators were using during the 15th and 16th centuries. There are pictures of artifacts that have been found and portraits of the navigators and the royal patrons that financed them. I can confidently map out all four of Columbus’ voyages thanks to this book!
I went in knowing a good amount already about Columbus and his voyages. I learned how connected our world truly is despite the difference in race and culture. We are all linked in some way, thanks mostly to what scientist and historians call the Columbian Exchange. Dor-Ner goes into detail about how the flora and fauna of both the Old and New Worlds were swapped and interchanged, creating a global impact that dramatically modified diet and lifestyle.
I continue to read about the “Age of Discovery” because it is also known as the “Age of Exploitation.” As someone of Caribbean descent, Columbus and his “discovery” altered the lineage of the native Taino and Carib Indians. When the Spanish went on to marry (or rape) the indigenous women, the mestizo race was born. I read to learn about my culture and my beginnings.
This was a great book and I recommend it to those interested in global exploration.
Columbus and the Age of Discovery by Zvi Dor-Ner is based off a PBS documentary that aired in the early 1990’s nearing the quincentennial of the Columbus voyages. It also touches upon the lives and expeditions of other explorers in early history.
We learn about Cheng Ho, a Chinese explorer who sailed the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea in the beginning of the 15th century. He also coasted around Japan, Bangkok, India, and even the eastern coast of Africa. The Arabs were masters of the sea and land routes for trade but they never attempted to leave Asia and explore the oceans. Both civilizations had the technology (their boats were agile and built strong, most likely would’ve survived a trip into the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans) but never continued to sail and find new lands.
Dor-Ner gives a short biography of Columbus; we learn where and how he grew up and how through different jobs he held helped mold the curious and adventurous explorer we know today. He walks us through the trials and tribulations he had to face to get the financing for his journeys; England, Portugal and Spain would decline him, the latter later turning over their decision after the second meeting.
In between the voyages we learn about Portugal and how the country became a powerhouse of exploration and trade like their Spanish neighbors. There were many others that explored and coasted the western coast of Africa, but Vasco da Gama was the first to round the Cape of Good Hope and reach India. They would go on to monopolize the spice and silk trade through the Indian Ocean.
Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci and Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan are also detailed. With the accomplishments of these two men Europe’s thinking about the size of the Earth and its geography changed forever.
The book is filled with wonderful art and maps detailing the routes taken of all the voyages touched upon. My favorite were the old maps that sailors and navigators were using during the 15th and 16th centuries. There are pictures of artifacts that have been found and portraits of the navigators and the royal patrons that financed them. I can confidently map out all four of Columbus’ voyages thanks to this book!
I went in knowing a good amount already about Columbus and his voyages. I learned how connected our world truly is despite the difference in race and culture. We are all linked in some way, thanks mostly to what scientist and historians call the Columbian Exchange. Dor-Ner goes into detail about how the flora and fauna of both the Old and New Worlds were swapped and interchanged, creating a global impact that dramatically modified diet and lifestyle.
I continue to read about the “Age of Discovery” because it is also known as the “Age of Exploitation.” As someone of Caribbean descent, Columbus and his “discovery” altered the lineage of the native Taino and Carib Indians. When the Spanish went on to marry (or rape) the indigenous women, the mestizo race was born. I read to learn about my culture and my beginnings.
This was a great book and I recommend it to those interested in global exploration.
May 31, 2016
Listened to the audio companion to the book, based on the PBS Series. Full of interesting historical side notes and more of a narrative of the overall import of Columbus then an in-depth biography of the man.
January 8, 2012
A beautiful coffee table book and reference book
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews