Summary of Laurence Bergreen's Columbus

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 When Columbus and his crew landed on Friday, October 12, they were greeted by the island’s inhabitants, the Taínos. The Taínos were a widely distributed ethnic group who were skilled at cultivating corn and yams, and making pottery. #2 When the ships approached the shore, the hostages escaped one by one, and Columbus realized he had been deceived. He would have sailed on, but he wanted to claim all the islands he passed, so he did in the name of Castile. #3 On October 15, his ships approaching an island, Columbus landed and was greeted by a man alone in a dugout canoe who gave him a gift of some unknown leaves. They were among the oldest crops known to humanity, and were used to cure tobacco. #4 On October 16, Columbus’s modest altruistic gesture paid dividends. The islanders were more than willing to trade with the Europeans, and they even gave them some of their clothes.