Kidnapped by Columbus

This book is published by Floricanto Press.www.FloricantoPress.com

Christopher Columbus wanted to prove he'd reached the edge of India. So, when he returned to Spain in 1493, he brought samples of gold, exotic plants, strange birds, and six Taíno "Indians" to the court of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. "Kidnapped by Columbus" is the fictional-largely accurate-historical account of the "Indians'" voyage to the Old World told through the eyes of a fourteen-year-old Native American. Columbus and his "Indians" returned to Spain at the height of the Inquisition, in the wake of the expulsion of all Jews and the final defeat of Islam in Europe. The "Indians" encounter some of the most prominent figures in history-Isabella and Ferdinand, Grand Inquisitor Tomás Torquemada, Catherine of Aragón, the ill-fated Prince Juan, and Pope Rodrigo Borgia, who issues Papal Bulls changing the boundaries of the Western Hemisphere to this day.

"This cinematic novel contributes greatly to the debate over how the historical figure of Christopher Columbus should be judged today. It's a captivating read that serves as an interesting introduction to the time when the Spanish Empire was ascendant, detailing an exciting event that is under-reported by history. It puts the reader into the shoes of a native who was controversially plucked from the shores of the New World and taken to the Old World, as the globe shifted from the Pre-Columbian Era to Post-Columbian Times. But most of all it's an arresting page-turner and a good old fashioned action-packed adventure tale."-Robert Silverman, Editor-in-Chief, StatePoint Media, Inc.

"This fascinating novel offers a historical perspective of the times of discovery of the New World from the eyes of a Taíno-the first natives who Columbus encountered-which gives a humanly touch and new understanding of this native culture. Marc Wilson recreates the compelling story of Enriquillo, a great leader of the natives in the Spanish conquered islands in the Caribbean, and who became a prisoner of Spain. His tale articulates a unique reality never shared before as it delves in the relationship between the native captive and the Spanish captor."-Salvador Habún, El Vocero. P.R.

Marcus (Marc) Wilson is a journalist who worked for three daily newspapers, five bureaus of The Associated Press, and was editor and publisher of the "Bigfork Eagle," a weekly newspaper in northwestern Montana. He also is the founder of TownNews.com. Marc is the author of "Hero Street U.S.A.," University of Oklahoma Press, 2009. It was honored as Best History/Political Book in the International Latino Book Awards in 2010. Its Spanish version was similarly honored in 2013.Marc is a graduate of the University of Colorado, where he studied American frontier history under the renowned professor Robert Athearn. He and his wife, Ginny, live in Loveland, Colorado. The Montana Newspaper Association has honored Marc and Ginny as "Master Editor-Publishers." The Inland Press Association has honored Marc with the Ray Carlson Community Service Award.

The first person narrator of this extraordinary account is Guarocuya, one of the six Taínos that Columbus 'persuaded' to join him aboard La Niña. Columbus is an ambivalent figure: decent in many respects, and loyal to his friends, but not always kind to his mistress, and with a tendency to religious extremism, a gift for self-promotion and a strong desire to advance his social status. There is plenty of colour, mystery, tension and excitement in the tale and the tensions and dangers only increase when they reach court. Wilson shows how Queen Isabella, in particular, could be capable of great kindness as well as religious fanaticism.