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When "the Admiral went ashore in the armed longboat" in the early morning of 12 October 1492, accompanied by the royal banners, royal attendants, and fellow captains in order to "take, as in fact he did take, possession of the said island for the king and the queen, his lords," Columbus certainly had no idea of the magnitude of what he was accomplishing. But, then, how could he? For it was arguably the most important human act since the development of agricul ture, more resonant in earthly affairs ^^ than even the founding of the great religions, more percussive in the lives of more humans (and more other species), and ultimately more fateful for the earth itself.

'There is nothing else quite like it, and there is room, and a need, for quality books on this area in this era' - Colin G. Calloway, author of "The Western Abenakis of Vermont, 1600-1800: War, Migration and the Survival of an Indian People". This illustrated collection of essays examines early Native American contact with European explorers, fishermen, and traders in 'Norumbega', the sixteenth-century name of the Atlantic coast of New England near the Penobscot River in Maine. This coast was the focus of several French and English voyagers seeking a northwest passage and other avenues to riches and treasure. A tacit division gradually emerged: the French concentrated on the region north of the Penobscot and the English on the lands to the south.The 100 illustrations in this book come largely from the Osher Map Library at the University of Southern Maine and include many rare early maps (1500-1800). Ten are reproduced in full color. Emerson W. Baker is an assistant professor of history at Salem State College. Edwin A. Churchill is the chief curator, Maine State Museum. Richard S. D'Abate is the associate director of the Maine Humanities Council. Kristine L.Jones is an independent scholar. Victor A. Konrad is director of the Fulbright Canada Program. Harald E. L. Prins is an associate professor of anthropology, Kansas State University.

(1989). What Columbus Died Believing: The True Geographic Concepts of the Great Discoverer. Terrae Incognitae: Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 9-16.