Note: This book was orginally
presented on the 400th Anniversary of 1492 - keep this
in mind in relationship to any timeline mentioned in
the story.
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. |