[DOWNLOAD] ~ Encounters Unforeseen ~ by Andrew Rowen ~ Book PDF Kindle ePub Free
eBook details
- Title: Encounters Unforeseen
- Author : Andrew Rowen
- Release Date : January 06, 2017
- Genre: Fiction & Literature,Books,History,Historical,
- Pages : * pages
- Size : 14291 KB
Description
After 525 years, the traditional literature recounting the history of Columbusâs epic voyage and first encounters with Native Americans remains Eurocentric, focused principallyâwhether pro- or anti-Columbusâon Columbus and the European perspective. A historical novel, Encounters Unforeseen: 1492 Retold now dramatizes these events from a bicultural perspective, fictionalizing the beliefs, thoughts, and actions of the Native Americans who met Columbus side by side with those of Columbus and other Europeans, all based on a close reading of Columbusâs Journal, other primary sources, and anthropological studies.
The drama alternates among three historic TaĂno chieftainsâCaonabĂł, GuacanagarĂ, and Guarionexâand a TaĂno youth Columbus captures, Spainâs Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, and Columbus himself. It depicts the education, loves and marriages, and other life experiences each brought to the unforeseen encounters and then their astonishment, fears, and objectives in 1492 and 1493. The focus includes the TaĂno âdiscoveryâ of Europe, when Columbus hauls the captive and other TaĂnos back to Spain, as well as the chieftainsâ reactions to the abusive garrison of seamen Columbus leaves behind in the Caribbean. Throughout, the TaĂno protagonists are neither merely victims nor statistics, but personalities and actors comparable to the European, and their side of the story is forcefully told.
The novel weaves a fascinating tapestry of scenes and dialogues from the historical record, often incorporating text from primary sources. Isabella plots her dynastic marriage, argues with Ferdinand over whoâs supreme, and wages war to expand their kingdoms. The chieftains take multiple wives to consolidate their rules, vie to marry the beautiful Anacaona, and battle Caribe raiders. An unknown Columbus conceives a fanciful voyage, marries advantageously to promote it, and yet suffers an agonizing decade of ridicule and rejection. GuacanagarĂ rescues Columbus when the Santa MarĂa sinks, but CaonabĂł questions GuacanagarĂâs generosity, and Guarionex is vexed, having witnessed a religious prophecy of TaĂno genocide inflicted by a âclothed people.â Columbus teaches his captive Christianity, initiating the following centuriesâ collision of Christianity with Native American religion and spirits.
The TaĂno stories depict both events known to have occurred (e.g., the chieftainsâ ascensions to power, the prophecy of genocide, the captiveâs baptism in Spain) and known practices or experiences (e.g., inter-island canoe travel, a hurricane, a Caribe wife raid, a batey game). The Isabella and Ferdinand stories include their establishment of the Inquisition, subjugation and Christianization of the Canary Islands, completion of the Reconquista, and expulsion of the Jews from Spain, illustrating European doctrines of conquest, enslavement, and involuntary conversion and how the sovereigns ruled over Old World peoples before encountering Native Americans. The Columbus stories portray his pre-1492 sailing experiences and the evolution of his world outlook, and his thoughts during the encounters embody the concepts underlying the European subjugation of Native Americans over the following centuries. Stark societal differences are illustrated, with the Europeans practicing African slavery and the TaĂnos sharing food as communal property.
A Sources section briefly discusses interpretations of historians and anthropologists contrary to the authorâs presentation, as well as issues of academic disagreement.
The result is a gripping, personal, documented, and bicultural portrayal of the voyage that reshaped the course of world history, written at its 525th anniversary.