This edition and translation of Las Casas's narrative; transmitted in his Historia de las Indias; of Columbus's third voyage in 1498-1500 to Trinidad and the Gulf of Paria; then on to Hispaniola; completes the coverage of the Columbian voyages contained in volumes 6 and 7 of the Repertorium Columbianum. The narrative opens on a high note with the first European sighting of the mainland of South America; Columbus's lyrical response to the beauty of its abundant flora and fauna; friendly encounters with the Indians of Paria; and intimations that the expedition might have stumbled onto the threshold of the earthly paradise. It closes; however; in a somber vein with what Las Casas aptly termed the 'fall' of the admiral; who had been ousted from his governorship for mismanagement of the young colony and shipped home ignominiously to face an uncertain reception at the court of Fernando and Isabel. Las Casas's commentary is largely centered on moral and political issues; particularly on the contradictory implications of Columbus's actions: on the one hand as the explorer who opened up a new world for Christian evangelization; and on the other as the viceroy whose brutal and ineffective administration of this new world proved so disastrous for its indigenous inhabitants. The former he judges positively and the latter negatively; never mincing his words. Indeed; this fascinating text can be read as a dialogue between Las Casas and Columbus in which Las Casas constantly quotes the admiral's letters and then glosses them with his own observations; guided by moral and eschatological themes.
#97988 in Books Ingramcontent 2014-10-27Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x 1.30 x 5.70l; 1.05 #File Name: 1941663001285 pagesThe Glory of the Crusades
Review
62 of 62 people found the following review helpful. Concise and eminently readableBy Shane KaplerHillaire Belloc's The Crusades had been on my shelf for over a decade; but something in the style kept me from going past the first few pages. I'm happy to say that I had the opposite experience with Steve Weidenkopf's The Glory of the Crusades (Catholic Answers Press; 2014). I sailed through it in the course of a weekend.You are probably wondering about the use of the word "Glory" in the title. Weidenkopf certainly doesn't glorify violence. He using the word in its original Hebrew sense; meaning "heavy in weight." In the preface he explains; "To recognize the glory of the Crusades means not to whitewash what was ignoble about them; but to call attention to the import in the life of the Church" (p.14).Weidenkopf is a fantastic story teller; and he used that talent to rather effortlessly lead the reader; in just over 240 pages; through six centuries of crusading history. In this sweeping narrative we are introduced to characters such as Godfrey de Bouillon and Richard the Lionhearted; as well as saints like Francis of Assisi; Bernard of Clairvaux; and St. King Louis IX of France.What I value most about this book is the way it unmasks the many myths about the Crusades - that they were wars of aggression; motivated by greed; the first movement in European colonialism. Weidenkopf shows how these false characterizations arose in the Reformation and Enlightenment. He provides a good review of the early Church's view of military service and the requirements of a "just war;" contrasting these with Islamic jihad.When you finish this book; however; I doubt that you will have a triumphant feeling regarding the Crusades. You will understand the noble motivation that set them in motion - defense of pilgrims to; and Christians living in; the Holy Land - but you will see how frequently participants' fallen natures led them astray. There are many bright spots to be sure: acts of courage and sanctity - as well as divine providence; as at the Battle of Lepanto. More often than not; however; you will be reading accounts of failure; both moral and military.Weidenkopf's The Glory of the Crusades is a marvelous history - concise and eminently readable.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. It includes the good; the bad and the uglyBy Robert SchanhaarThis book tells the history of the time as it was then not as we view it as today. It includes the good; the bad and the ugly; but with the understanding that was the way life was at that time every where. I sheds considerable light on what the Crusades were and why they took place. It dispels much of the exaggerated mythology surrounding the Crusades The world in Europe and the Middle East were quite different; lacking the fines of today. The same personality differences; dislikes; political jostling for power; and control; in other words we have the same political; social and human conduct problems today; not as crude by todays standards with a little more polish in conduct. An excellent book on an important time in history well worth reading.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Ever Wonder What the Crusades Were About? Great book - for Christians and non-Christians alike.By debauThis book is informative and presented in an interesting way. It cleared up a lot of misconceptions I had from a lack of education about the historical events. While I did not think of it before I began reading; as I got into the book and learned; I found it especially timely given the issues with terrorism and extremism committed by people who often blame their Islamic faith. Loved the book.
