Where Do You Think You're Going, Christopher Columbus?

Rating:
Summary: "Where Are You Going, Heinrich Himmler?"
Review: It's hard to imagine something lower or more morally contemptible than books of this kind. Columbus was guilty of the genocide of eight million Native people. Imagine "Where Are You Going Heinrich Himmler?" or "Where Are You Going Adolf Eichmann?" for comparison. His vaunted "discovery" was no such thing. Native people were already there. Polynesians, Inuit, Phoenicians, and Africans had already made the same voyage, and unlike old Chris did not slaughter millions once they got here.
For very young children, I would simply mention that Columbus was a very cruel man and leave it at that. It is simply impossible to tell them the truth at such a young age without giving them nightmares. But for heaven's sake, DONT whitewash or glorify a butcher like Columbus. Once they are in their teens, tell you children the TRUTH with such wonderful books as Loewen's Lies My Teacher Told Me or Takaki's A Different Mirror. Our kids deserve truth, not lies, in order for them to better deal with the legacy of genocide.

Rating:
Summary: Great book for kids
Review: My 8 yr old is reading this book now. It has been a huge help in understanding history. Columbus did a tremendous amount of "homework" before his voyages. some of that is documented here. For instance, learning about the attitude/politics/customs of the people in Italy, Spain and Portugal is important for a child to understand Columbus. That is well explored in this book. Notes in the book offer addtional tidbits about CC, including his brother, how relgion played a part in all this and more. (CC was not a tolerant man, neither was Queen Isabella. Queen I. thought nothing of BURNING folks of different beliefs). It is presented in a way a 3rd grader would not find too graphic. We enjoyed this book.

Rating:
Summary: Very informative with interesting illustrations
Review: Nicely done. Jean Fritz relates to children of "all ages". A necessary compliment alongside the more encyclopedic versions.

Rating:
Summary: A Fun Book to Stimulate Interest in History
Review: This is a fun book that should help your youngster develop an interest in American History. It is easy to read an has great illustratiions. You will not be disappointed with this purchase. Look for others by the same author.