Cristobal Colon – Viajes a Las Indias (1492 - 1504)

_Cristóbal Colón – Viajes a Las Indias (1492 - 1504)_, with an introduction by Jean-Paul Duviols, compiles the essential writings from Christopher Columbus’s four voyages that irrevocably altered the course of history. This edition delves into the enigmatic personality of Columbus, whose origins and early life remain shrouded in controversy, despite the prevailing Genoese thesis supported by his son Fernando’s and Bartolomé de Las Casas’s accounts.

The collection chronicles Columbus’s formative years as a mariner, his early passion for geography, and his systematic efforts to secure funding for his audacious westward expedition to Catai and Cipango (China and Japan). It details key biographical dates, from his birth in Genoa (c. 1451) to his initial proposals to King John II of Portugal and his eventual success in securing support from the Catholic Monarchs.

This volume provides critical insight into the complex motivations behind the voyages—ranging from the quest for gold and spices to Columbus's messianic conviction and his astute understanding of nautical science. Despite his miscalculations regarding the Earth’s size, Columbus’s navigational genius and strategic use of trade winds were unparalleled. The book also touches upon the mythical creatures and the concept of the Terrestrial Paradise that shaped his perceptions of the New World, alongside his initial, often contradictory, views on the indigenous populations.