We first meet Christopher Columbus as an exuberant boy of Genoa Italy who wants only one thing an adventurous life at sea As he grows into young manhood he becomes an expert sailor When King John offers a handsome reward for the captain who can find the fastest route to the treasures of India Columbus realizes he has found his calling Columbus is convinced that the most direct route to the Far East is by sailing due west around the globe But King John only laughs at Columbus No one has ever sailed to the west on the great ocean It cannot be done Columbus determination keeps his dream alive Many years later in search of support for his voyage of discovery Columbus is in the court of Queen Isabella of Spain He tells her I have met many men who say it is impossible to sail west They all have one thing in common none of them has sailed west The Queen is intrigued by Columbus determination but Spain is at war She can spare neither ships nor money for such
