Christopher Columbus

Five centuries ago, Christopher Columbus changed how people understood the planet, moving it from a world of three continents and one ocean to one in which cultures, nations, and heritage crossed the seas. Born in Genoa, he developed an early fascination with sailing and became one of history's most influential figures. This account tells his story on its own terms, describing his era and outlook rather than judging him by modern assumptions.

The book traces the intellectual roots of his voyages, from the ideas of Aristotle and Plato, which offered him foresight and direction, to the works of Ptolemy and Marco Polo, which described the heavens and distant lands. It explores what motivated his decisions and actions, including his spiritual ambitions.

Readers join Columbus aboard a caravel as he sails beyond sight of land into unmapped waters. The book covers the Atlantic trade winds that carried him west, the instruments he used to determine direction, speed, and latitude, and the shrewd judgment that earned him the title Admiral of the Ocean Sea.

Layne Meyers studied political science at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He works in his local school district's recreation department, where he coaches baseball, basketball, football, and golf. He is married to a librarian at the local elementary schools and is the father of three children. The family lives in a small community in Southeast Wisconsin, where he continues to pursue his interest in American history.