Christopher Columbus

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Christopher Columbus' long shadow has been vastly diminished: no longer exclusively seen as the brave explorer sailing uncharted seas, many people today consider him a genocidist. This entry in Schlessinger Media's 13-part Explorers of the World series strikes a tone that is neither too shrilly revisionist nor too hagiographic. Columbus did make a lot of mistakes, many of them with catastrophic consequences for people other than himself--and they are fairly and truthfully represented here--yet, as we also learn, ideas about social justice were considerably different 500 years ago. The actor who plays Columbus does a wonderful job of projecting the egotism of the man while somehow remaining charming. Alas, his teenaged interlocutors come across very woodenly, and the disembodied history teacher's voice-over floating in and out was an affectation that could and should have been avoided. Otherwise, this is a well-rounded presentation of an important explorer, who still gets the credit for stumbling across the New World and publicizing its existence. The other titles in the series are: The American Frontier, Cortés & Pizarro, English Explorers, Ferdinand Magellan, French Explorers, Henry Hudson, History of Exploration, Lewis & Clark, Marco Polo, Portuguese Explorers, Spanish Explorers and The Vikings. Strongly recommended, especially given the scope and affordable price.

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Gr 5-8 - This production follows two teens, Jessica and Roberto, as they visit the "Hallowed Halls of History," a museum where the portraits come alive and engage in a dialogue with students. They talk with Columbus, who tells them about his desire to be an explorer and the importance of exploration in his era, and recounts his four voyages that became the foundation of the Spanish Empire in the New World. Jessica and Roberto question Columbus about his motives and actions as well as the consequences of his actions, especially for indigenous peoples such as the Taino Indians, a group he personally encountered. Columbus comes across as a real person, a man with good characteristics such as bravery and yet also vain and autocratic. The disembodied voice of Mrs. Durant, a teacher, adds commentary and background. After the two finish their talk with Columbus, they conclude that "history can be kind of messy," and that most historical figures cannot be easily placed into the categories of hero or villain. Technical quality is good. Visuals include the live-action footage of the students and Columbus, as well as reenactment footage, period art, and numerous maps. Audio is generally good, although background music occasionally almost overwhelms the speakers. The concept of students interacting with Columbus works well, and this production will hold student interest. It makes its points gently and with humor, which adds to its appeal. An outstanding choice for school libraries.

Copyright 2000 School Library Journal. Used with permission.

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