Publisher's Synopsis
The quincentenary celebration of the voyage of Christopher Columbus to America sparked popular controversy and political debate over the true nature of the voyage as discovery or conquest. Discovery in the Archives of Spain and Portugal refocuses the debate, serving as a reminder that historical reinterpretation calls for reexamination of evidence rather than merely the expression of personal opinion. A lively and interesting overview of Iberian and related archives, the book examines archives and primary documentary sources in the early-modern era from Spain and Portugal.Discovery in the Archives of Spain and Portugal surveys sources, source criticism, and controversies surrounding Christopher Columbus and revisionism in interpreting the “discovery of America” as an encounter between two worlds. Authors discuss the origin of archives and historical documentation and
- pose questions and themes for further research
- provide survey information and practical guidance for potential research in Spanish and Portuguese archives
- give an overview of gathering, editing, analyzing, and interpreting primary sources
- share anecdotal experiences of research in the archives of Spain and Portugal
- relate narratives and documentary sources for Columbus's affair with those in the larger arena of European expansionism.Discovery in the Archives of Spain and Portugal is a fascinating volume that conveys the flavor of searching archives, the enthusiasm of past and current researchers, and a sense of genuine discovery in the archives. Librarians, historians, and archivists will find the book to be an intriguing study of primary sources and original material surrounding the travels of Christopher Columbus to America within the broader context of his times.
