Columbus_ The Four Voyages - Laurence Bergreen [215]
In both New York and Genoa, Italy, Anna Basoli performed tireless research and translation assistance. I must also acknowledge Dr. Alfonso Assini, coordinating director of the States Archives in Genoa. Also in Genoa, the resources of the Società Ligure di Storia Patria proved helpful.
Alfred Crosby, professor emeritus at the University of Texas, generously elaborated on his influential “Columbian Exchange.” Professor Kathleen Deagan, coauthor of Columbus’s Outpost among the Taínos, advised on my Caribbean research. Carter Emmart, director of astrovisualization at the Rose Center for Earth and Space of the American Museum of Natural History, brought his scientific and philosophical perspectives to bear on Columbus’s exploration. Larry Fox held forth on navigation issues based on his extensive sailing experience; Daniella Gitlin offered translation and useful commentary concerning Columbus et su secreto (1976). Ash Green, who edited my book about Marco Polo’s travels, intervened at the right moment to encourage me to write about Columbus. Toby Greenberg, my photo researcher, tracked down numerous Columbus-related images. Heather Halstead, executive director of Reach the World, shared her enthusiasm about sailing across the Atlantic in the wake of Columbus. Gail Jacobs literally saved my life, for which I will always be grateful. Payne Johnson offered his insights into Columbus’s later voyages. Edmund and Sylvia Morris offered inspiration and camaraderie over the years. Vincent Pica, flotilla commander of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, brought his knowledge of seamanship to bear. David Hurst Thomas, curator in the Department of Anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History, called my attention to the Columbian resources of his institution. I also wish to acknowledge the contributions of Chip and Susan Fisher, Cesar Polinia, Nicole Robson, Jeannette Watson Sanger, Matthew Schaeffer, Olga Valdes Skidmore, Joseph Thanhauser III, and, of course, Henry. My thanks also go to Daniel Dolgin and to Loraine Dolgin-Gardner for travel expertise. Dan, one of the most helpful people on the planet, also read the manuscript with care, and the book has benefited from his scrutiny.
My daughter Sara brought her impressive editorial skills to bear on the manuscript. And my son Nicholas, a competitive sailor, shed light on some of the navigational issues faced by Columbus.
At the New York Society Library, chief librarian Mark Bartlett was always there to answer queries with his customary resourcefulness. Daniel M. Rossner, my fellow trustee, pointed out V. S. Naipaul’s provocative article about Columbus and Robinson Crusoe, and Sara Elliott Holliday brought to light material relating to Bartolomé de Las Casas.
In addition, I consulted the Hispanic Society of America’s trove in upper Manhattan, and the LuEsther T. Mertz Library at the New York Botanical Garden, where Jane Dorfman, reference librarian, retrieved items relating to the Columbian Exchange; as well as the collection of Taíno artifacts at El Museo del Barrio New York. At Columbia University, Butler Library’s collection of works concerning Columbus became an essential resource. My thanks to the library’s reference librarians for pointing me in the right direction. I am also obliged to Columbia’s MFA research internship program and to Patricia O’Toole for providing Aaron Cutler to assist with research on this book.
My friend James B. Garvin, chief scientist of NASA’s Goddard Spaceflight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, brought his expertise to bear on retracing Columbus’s track across the Atlantic and on the Columbian Exchange.
The Harvard University Archives, Cambridge, Massachusetts, graciously gave me access to the complete Columbus collection of Samuel Eliot Morison, the author of Admiral of the Ocean Sea (1942). At the John Carter Brown Library, Brown University, I appreciate the assistance of Edward L. Widmer, director, and Ken Ward in making the most of the resources of this exceptional collection. Richard Ring, formerly of the John