[This was orginally done on the 400th Anniversary of 1492 as was the great Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Interesting how our heroes have all been de-canonized in the interest of Political Correctitude—Comments by Michael S. Hart]
CONTENTS
PREFACE.
THE TRUE STORY OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS
CHAPTER I. BOY WITH AN IDEA.
CHAPTER II WHAT PEOPLE THOUGHT OF THE IDEA.
CHAPTER III HOW COLUMBUS GAINED A QUEEN FOR HIS FRIEND.
CHAPTER IV HOW THE ADMIRAL SAILED AWAY.
CHAPTER V HOW THEY FARED ON THE SEA OF DARKNESS.
CHAPTER VI WHAT COLUMBUS DISCOVERED.
CHAPTER VII HOW A BOY BROUGHT THE ADMIRAL TO GRIEF.
CHAPTER VIII TRYING IT AGAIN.
CHAPTER IX HOW THE TROUBLES OF THE ADMIRAL BEGAN.
CHAPTER X FROM PARADISE TO PRISON.
CHAPTER XI HOW THE ADMIRAL CAME AND WENT AGAIN.
CHAPTER XII HOW THE ADMIRAL PLAYED ROBINSON CRUSOE.
CHAPTER XIII THE END OF THE STORY.
CHAPTER XIV HOW THE STORY TURNS OUT.
This "True Story of Christopher Columbus" is offered and inscribed to the boys and girls of America as the opening volume in a series especially designed for their reading, and to be called "Children's Lives of Great Men." In this series the place of honor, or rather of position, is given to Columbus the Admiral, because had it not been for him and for his pluck and faith and perseverance there might have been no young Americans, such as we know to-day, to read or care about the world's great men.
Columbus led the American advance; he discovered the New World; he left a record of persistence in spite of discouragement and of triumph over all obstacles, that has been the inspiration and guide for Americans ever since his day, and that has led them to work on in faith and hope until the end they strove for was won.
"The True Story of Christopher Columbus" will be followed by the "true story" of others who have left names for us to honor and revere, who have made the world better because they lived, and who have helped to make and to develop American freedom, strength and progress.
It will be the endeavor to have all these presented in the simple, straightforward, earnest way that appeals to children, and shows how the hero can be the man, and the man the hero. E. S. B.