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Home | America | “Christ-bearer” Columbus – Books to Read about Christopher Columbus

“Christ-bearer” Columbus – Books to Read about Christopher Columbus

America, Books, history, homeschool, Homeschool Curriculum, Lists for Homeschooling, Recomended Reading

The story of Christopher Columbus’ life and discoveries are sadly misrepresented in modern books. It’s even popular to trash his name around Columbus Day each year. But his life, his desires, and his accomplishments (and even his shortcomings) are well-documented in his own journals and those of the men who sailed with him.

Christopher means “Christ-bearer.” It was not just the name his parents gave him; it became his mission. With hindsight, we have the advantage of understanding the world Columbus grew up in, the politics of the time, and the desire to find new worlds, new trade routes, and new riches. Columbus desired all of these things; he was a product of his time. But just as important was his desire to spread the Christian faith around the world.

columbus-1501

There’s a lot more to his story than modern history books tell us. Thankfully, firsthand accounts from the 15th century give us clearer insight into his story. This book, Columbus & Cortez, Conquerors for Christ (The Controversy, The Conquest, The Mission, The Vision) by John Eidsmoe, does a great job of highlighting Columbus’ own writings from his journals, his letters, and the writings of those who knew him. It does not pretend that Columbus was a saint; it does, however, explore his motives and his shortcomings, as well as the turning point in his career as Admiral of the Ocean Sea. I highly recommend this book for highschool reading as part of a world history and/or American history curriculum. We teach both simultaneously (you can read about it here). It’s also a great book for adults who feel like they didn’t learn much about history, or forgot everything they learned.

Columbus and Cortez conquerors for Christ by John Eidsmoe

For younger children, I also love this chapter book of Columbus’ life in the (excellent) Sower Series. It’s perfect for older elementary to high schoolers to read on their own, or for mom to read aloud to younger children. I like to read these aloud to all of my students together in our read-aloud time. You can read my review of another book in this series, Francis Scott Key, here.

Christopher Columbus chapter books

Did you know you can even read Columbus’ journals for yourself? I have added them to a book in my Knowledge Keepers Bookstore series, Christopher Columbus: His Story and His Journals. This is actually two old books in one: an 1892 narrative of the life of Columbus, based closely on his journals, and a 1906 copy of the journals and letters of Columbus and his contemporaries, heavily researched and footnoted. It is a wealth of information for any student of history, and is suitable for all ages! I’ve also created a free study guide to accompany this book, perfect for multiple ages.

Christopher Columbus journals

So you see, there is simply no excuse for misinterpreting the life and motives of Columbus today. He was not a greedy murderer, as you will probably read in many online articles; he was a man who felt led by God and appointed by his King and Queen to navigate the ocean for a new trade route and and the advancement of the Gospel.

Columbus’ story is not good or bad; it’s history. Whether a great man eventually succumbed to temptation is not the issue when studying the great events of the world. Facts are what they are, and they should be read, remembered, and taught to our children. I hope you will check out these books and include them as part of your history reading!

For high school students and adults, read more about The Twisted History of Christopher Columbus here. You’ll get a better look at the journals of Christopher Columbus and the twisting of his story in history books and the culture.
Related post: Better Than Monuments

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October 5, 2016 · Leave a Comment

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It's here! My latest Knowledge Keepers book is a collection of true American Christmas stories, and you can order it now on Amazon. The stages of a homeschooled child: Grab some leftover pie and hop over to NickiTruesdell.com for all the homeschooling, motherhood, and worldview gifts! NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON! We know that the pilgrims of Plymouth came to the shores of this country because of religious persecution. But did you know that wasn’t the only reason? Easy peasy, and it only takes 100 years or so! We live in a world of revisionist, cynical history, and it’s often difficult to find accurate resources about Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims, and their life in the Old World and the New. So I’d like to help you by sharing a list of great books to read with your family, as well as some traditions that really illustrate the history in a memorable way. Discounts in our shop! Discounts on Etsy! Discounts on Amazon! https://www.instagram.com/p/CzbanI0LioG/

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