1492: A Novel of Christopher Columbus by Newton Frohlich

I really liked this book. Very interesting. Liked the characters and the story flow. The history of this time was very interesting. The book was very entertaining and hard to put down. Highly recommend!

1492:

A Novel of Christopher Columbus, the Spanish Inquisition,

and a World at the Turning Point

By Newton Frohlich

“Captivating, extraordinarily vivid first novel. . . . This is a convincing, detailed re-creation of the Old World on the brink of discovery.” — Publishers Weekly

“Frohlich shows a fine gift for storytelling… The sheer power of the historical events is likely to keep the reader engaged.” — Booklist

“A rollicking, readable and fascinating story… For a grand, sweeping tale of the history of Spain at the end of the 15^th century, 1492 is hard to beat.” — St. Louis Post Dispatch

            Schoolchildren are frequently taught, “In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” And while it’s a fun and memorable rhyme, it’s also but a fraction of the fascinating story that forever changed the face of the world as we know it today.

            In the critically acclaimed novel, 1492: A Novel of Christopher Columbus, the Spanish Inquisition, and a World at the Turning Point – the second edition of which is set for release on Columbus Day 2016 [October 10] – readers are invited to immerse themselves in a tale far more complex, far-reaching, and extraordinary than the popular narrative of a courageous Italian sailor who knelt before the queen of Spain and made a daring journey to the West.

            1492 opens in fifteenth-century Spain, which was, by any standard, a terrifying place. Throughout the Inquisition, torture, betrayal, and unexpected courage were expected elements of day-to-day life. The Muslim world struggled to keep the West in an economic vise, the Christian world fought back against their control of its trade routes, and Jews were caught in the middle: tortured if they assimilated, expelled or killed if they clung to their heritage.

            Into this turbulent scene step a unique set of charismatic, captivating characters – brought to life with stunning realism by award-winning author, Newton Frohlich.

1492 centers on a man who had one foot in the Jewish world, the other in the Christian world, and the radical idea that he could sail West to reach the East: Cristoforo Colombo. But contrary to what history books have led us to believe, Queen Isabella did not sell her jewels to fund Cristoforo’s voyage. The truth involves the Jewish investor, Luis de Santangel; Columbus’s Christian wife, Filipa, who gave him social acceptance and valuable contacts; and the beautiful and talented Jewish woman, Beatriz, who entered his life several years after the death of his wife.

An intimately detailed, inimitably researched, and shockingly timely addition to the historical fiction market, 1492 separates fact from the myths surrounding the voyage of Columbus. It provides a new and illuminating window into a crucial moment in world history when human tragedy and human triumph were inextricably intertwined.

A compelling, fact-based re-creation of Christopher Columbus’ famous voyage, 1492:

•  Includes rare translations of letters and documents written by Columbus as well crucial, rarely mentioned information about the Spanish Inquisition

•  Provides important context in our understanding of the tensions that still exist today between Christians, Muslims and Jews

•  Reminds us that Columbus did not reveal the earth was round, but rather proved it possible to sail west to discover new land and trade routes before catching the eastern winds to head back to Europe

•  Squashes the myth that Queen Isabella sold her jewels to finance Columbus’s voyage, and highlights the story and historical significance of the Jewish investor Luis de Santangel

•  Reveals little-known personal details about Columbus, including his complex relationships with both Christians and Jews and why he felt compelled to hide his true identity and background

About the Author:

Newton Frohlich is the award-winning author of The Shakespeare Mask: A Novel, as well as 1492: A Novel of Christopher Columbus, the Spanish Inquisition & a World at the Turning Point and Making the Best of It: A Common-Sense Guide to Negotiating a Divorce. A former lawyer in Washington, D.C., he devoted eight years to the research and writing of 1492. He has lived in Washington, D.C., the south of France, and Israel and now makes his home on Cape Cod with his wife, Martha, a musicologist.

Connect with Newton Frohlich on Goodreads and at http://newtonfrohlich.com/.

1492: A Novel of Christopher Columbus, the Spanish Inquisition & a World at the Turning Point is currently available for pre-order onAmazon, and will be available in paperback and e-book formats wherever books are sold on Columbus Day (October 10) 2016.

ADVANCE REVIEW COPIES OF 1492 AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

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