Christopher Columbus's 1492 voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in search of a trading route to China, and his unexpected landfall in the Americas, is a watershed event in world history. Yet Columbus made three more voyages within the span of only a decade, each designed to demonstrate that he could sail to China within a matter of weeks and convert those he found there to Christianity. These later voyages were even more adventurous, violent, and ambiguous,...

Examines the voyages of Christopher Columbus and their impact on world history.

Examines the life and adventures of conquistador Hernando de Soto, from his early exploits as a foot soldier to his fame as a brave, wealthy explorer.