A good, solid biography of Columbus, it neither glorifies nor vilifies the explorer.  In addition to sharing the facts of Columbus’s life and adventures, it shares many of the misconceptions that have surrounded the explorer, debunks them.  But it does so in a very balanced approach: while shooting down the notions that Columbus “discovered” America, or proved the world was round, and acknowledging his mistakes and failings and cruelties, it also recognizes his talents as a navigator and the lasting impact he had on bringing Europe and the Americas together.