Robert Swanson

Christopher Columbus is a man who is complex and hard to understand. Most modern students of history grew up listening to the rhyme, “In 14-92, Columbus sailed the ocean blue…” As they progress academically it quickly becomes apparent that Columbus’s voyage initiated one of the largest destructions in human history. Millions of Native Americans were killed through slavery, war, and disease brought by the Spanish conquerors. Columbus has by many historians been implicated as the man responsible for this atrocity and as no more than a brute and conquistador. However, Clark B. Hinckley in his book Christopher Columbus: A Man Among the Gentiles reexamines Columbus in a new light and with a slightly different story to tell. Hinckley uses a complex array of primary and secondary sources as he crafts his arguments. He tends to favor historians who are more neutral or sympathetic towards Columbus, but does include arguments from some modern scholars who view Columbus negatively. His greatest strength is in his favoring the primary sources of Columbus and others who knew him. His contextual examination of the sources also provides an excellent viewpoint. His examination of Columbus’s religious life is fascinating and provides an even more complex picture of a man who was religiously devout, but also a horrible governor. He also has a pleasant writing style that allows the reader to quickly get a basic story of Columbus’s life. One of the faults of this book is the lack of material on the treatment of Native Americans. Hinckley gives so much focus to Columbus and his writings that it is excluded what horrible things occurred to the Natives. He is also a bit dismissive of the Natives and their culture, which is a challenge to the academic nature of the book. It was disappointing that the author did not seek to flesh out the failed nature of Columbus’s governorship and indicate that he was a man who failed. His casting of Columbus in a positive light is new, but does not accurately portray all of the man. Finally, this book is written for an audience of Latter Day Saints. The turning to the prophecies of Nephi and other Book of Mormon scriptures could be frustrating for a non-member. However, for Latter Day Saints his work does help the reader better understand that Columbus was a man inspired and helping to bring about a great latter day work. Columbus was a man of contradictions, but he was a man who was attempting to do good. Though secularists may scoff at this book, to those who believe, this is a fascinating and intriguing view on one of America’s foremost heroes and villains in the Culture Wars.

Like many other how to guides and self help books America The Owner’s Manual: You Can Fight City Hall- and Win by Senator Bob Graham and Chris Hand provides valuable and timely insights into how to run and perform well in an advocacy campaign or political movement. With ideas reminiscent of How to Make Friends and Influence People, the book is a valuable addition to the library of activists and political enthusiasts. The advice is solid and insightful, however throughout the book the authors betray their political bias throughout the book which detracts from the overall appeal of the book as a non-partisan source to being productive and active citizens. The book, organized into ten specific chapters, covers ideas ranging from how to persuade policy makers to coping with defeat. Each chapter begins with a case study and demonstrates how a normal citizen made powerful waves in local, state, and national politics. Besides long paragraphs filled with advice, additional examples are placed throughout each chapter that break up the monotony of the writing. Not only do the authors share their advice and stories, but provided additional advice from “the pros” in policy making. This advice and the stories shared provide powerful examples to the budding political enthusiast. However the authors consistently focused their writing on liberal and progressive movements and ignored conservative movements that have performed well in the public sphere. The tone towards the Republican party was less than enthusiastic, particularly towards the end of the book. This is not to say that the authors were blatantly biased, however the subtle manner in which they promoted certain ideologies and political philosophies was apparent throughout the book. Perhaps by illustrating several more conservative movements the author could have demonstrated an awareness of all types of movements and what truly motivates people in becoming politically active. Or the authors perhaps should have better acknowledged their partisan bias in the introduction of the book in order to be more forthcoming and academic. Despite this neglect, the authors did produce a book that is valuable, though a bit dull and slow paced, for those who wish to participate more in the public sphere. And given the context of the 2016 election, the political ranting is held to a minimum. It provides excellent advice and insights that can be used to craft a competitive and complete movement in the dog eat dog world of politics. This book can be recommended for all who want to make a difference in their community, state, and the United States as a whole.