Learn More about the Life and History of Christopher Columbus

Celebrate Columbus Day (or Indigenous Peoples Day as some people prefer to call it these days) by learning more about the explorer Christopher Columbus, with these Classics from Cosimo and decide for yourself how controversial he was.

The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus (Two Volumes in One) by Washington Irving

Inspired by the then-recent unearthing of original documents and letters of Christopher Columbus, the American writer Washington Irving set about, in the 1820s, to create the first unlimited and complete account of the great explorer and his journeys. This is that account, sweeping in its scope, as intimate as a novel, as thrilling as a grand adventure story. Originally written in two volumes but presented here in a combined edition, The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus tells of Columbus' three journeys to the New World, shipwrecks and mutinies, encounters with natives, and his establishment of military outposts in the Americas. With a dedication to historical accuracy combined with a flair for engaging storytelling, Irving bestows upon us one of the classic works of history of the Age of Exploration. 

Voyages and Discoveries of the Companions of Columbus by Washington Irving

As a follow-up to his History of Columbus, this 1831 work by Washington Irving details the voyages of the men who accompanied Columbus and followed in his wake, fulfilling his dream of further exploring the land he had encountered. The dashing tales of Alonzo de Ojeda, Vincente Pinzon, Diego de Nicuesa, and Vasco Núñez de Balboa are presented here for readers as both historical records and adventurous entertainment. History buffs will be delighted to learn about the lives of these important explorers.

Life of Columbus by Arthur Helps

The Life of Columbus has been called the cornerstone of the history of the American continent. The first issue of this edition, which appeared in 1910, vividly recreates the moral and intellectual atmosphere of Columbus's world. A lasting biography of thoughtfulness and scope, it encompasses Columbus's formative years including his life in Spain and a fascinating account of his earliest voyages of discovery. In addition, Sir Arthur Helps examines Columbus's role as the courageous "Discoverer of America" in light of his devoted and unwavering support of the Catholic Church in Spain and its flourishing influence in the Americas.

October Classic of the Month: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Many may know Mr. Ichabod Crane from movies, television, festivals, songs, musicals, or even Broadway shows, his debut came in 1820 in a short story collection written by Washington Irving. The Headless Horseman, Crane, and Irving are all at their most popular during Halloween, and it is for that reason that The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is our October Classic of the Month!

Ichabod Crane, a schoolteacher, came to Tarrytown in the glen of Sleepy Hollow to ply his trade in educating young minds. He was a gullible and excitable fellow, often so terrified by locals' stories of ghosts that he would hurry through the woods on his way home, singing to keep from hysterics.

Among these stories was the legend of the Galloping Hessian, the headless horseman of Sleepy Hollow. Readers of all ages will enjoy this classic American short story about courtship, rivalry, and ghosts. 

About the Author

Washington Irving (1783-1859) was born in New York City to Scottish immigrant parents. Considered by some the "Father of American Literature," Irving is best known for his short stories, including "Rip Van Winkle," but he also produced an extensive bibliography of essays, poems, travel books, and biographies.

December Classic of the Month: Old Christmas

In the spirit of the holiday season, Cosimo is happy to announce Old Christmas by Washington Irving as our Classic of the month for December!

"After the dance was concluded, the whole party was entertained with brawn and beef, and stout home-brewed. The Squire himself mingled among the rustics, and was received with awkward demonstrations of deference and regard." -- from Christmas Day

Warmly convivial and delightfully festival, this charming and long forgotten holiday classic, by one of American literature's most beloved writers, was inspired, in part, by Dickens' A Christmas Carol and other celebrations of oldtime Yule.

Splendid suppers and rural churches, cheerful dances and hearty spirits imbue this short novel with the magic of the season. This festive work, first published in 1896, deserves to be a holiday tradition alongside Dickens in the celebrations of the winter solstice.

About the Author
American author Washington Irving (1783-1859) wrote extensively in the areas of history and historical biography but is best known for his short fiction, including "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle."

Old Christmas is available on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and at your favorite bookstores. From everyone here at Cosimo, we wish you a very merry and festive holiday season!

Celebrate Columbus Day with Cosimo Classics

More than 500 years ago, Christopher Columbus made his first expedition to North America and discovered The New World. Today, we celebrate that day by highlighting some classic titles!

The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus (Two Volumes in One) by Washington Irving

Inspired by the then-recent unearthing of original documents and letters of Christopher Columbus, the American writer Washington Irving set about, in the 1820s, to create the first unlimited and complete account of the great explorer and his journeys. This is that account, sweeping in its scope, as intimate as a novel, as thrilling as a grand adventure story. Originally written in two volumes but presented here in a combined edition, The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus tells of Columbus' three journeys to the New World, shipwrecks and mutinies, encounters with natives, and his establishment of military outposts in the Americas. With a dedication to historical accuracy combined with a flair for engaging storytelling, Irving bestows upon us one of the classic works of history of the Age of Exploration. 

Voyages and Discoveries of the Companions of Columbus by Washington Irving

As a follow-up to his History of Columbus, this 1831 work by Washington Irving details the voyages of the men who accompanied Columbus and followed in his wake, fulfilling his dream of further exploring the land he had encountered. The dashing tales of Alonzo de Ojeda, Vincente Pinzon, Diego de Nicuesa, and Vasco Núñez de Balboa are presented here for readers as both historical records and adventurous entertainment. History buffs will be delighted to learn about the lives of these important explorers.

Life of Columbus by Arthur Helps

The Life of Columbus has been called the cornerstone of the history of the American continent. The first issue of this edition, which appeared in 1910, vividly recreates the moral and intellectual atmosphere of Columbus's world. A lasting biography of thoughtfulness and scope, it encompasses Columbus's formative years including his life in Spain and a fascinating account of his earliest voyages of discovery. In addition, Sir Arthur Helps examines Columbus's role as the courageous "Discoverer of America" in light of his devoted and unwavering support of the Catholic Church in Spain and its flourishing influence in the Americas.

"In fourteen hundred ninety-two

Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

He had three ships and left from Spain;

He sailed through sunshine, wind and rain.

He sailed by night; he sailed by day;

He used the stars to find his way."


Happy Columbus Day!

Spooky Books for a Horrifying Halloween!

Happy Halloween to all you ghosts and ghouls out there! In honor of this fantastic holiday, Cosimo would like to present our authors who are experts on all things unknown, creepy, and unnatural. 

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

Ichabod Crane, a schoolteacher, came to Tarry Town in the glen of Sleepy Hollow to ply his trade in educating young minds. He was a gullible and excitable fellow, often so terrified by locals' stories of ghosts that he would hurry through the woods on his way home, singing to keep from hysterics. Among these stories was the legend of the Galloping Hessian, the headless horseman of Sleepy Hollow. Readers of all ages will enjoy this classic American short story about courtship, rivalry, and ghosts. 

Mythical Monsters by Charles Gould

A geological surveyor by trade, English author Charles Gould was rather more interested in the strange ornithological specimens he collected on his journeys around the world. Mythical Monsters, the result of this deep and abiding fascination, is one of the classics of the field of cryptozoology, or the study of unknown or hidden creatures.  Monsters also features an essential section on the mysterious beasts of the ocean depths. Cosimo's edition is a replica of the original 1886 first edition complete with the original illustrations.



The Man Who Knew Too Much by G. K. Chesterton

This 1922 collection of eight short mysteries includes all the stories starring the unlikely detective Horne Fisher, a man cut from the upper crust of Britain whose in-depth knowledge of the nation's powermongers often curtails his investigations into corruption at the highest levels of government. In this volume readers can find the short stories titles: "The Face in the Target," "The Vanishing Prince," "The Soul of the Schoolboy," "The Bottomless Well," "The Fad of the Fisherman," "The Hole in the Wall," "The Temple of Silence," and "The Vengeance of the Statue."

Mothman and Other Curious Encounters by Loren Coleman 

A Hollywood blockbuster, an amazing documentary, and thousands of web pages in its honor. What's the fuss? In a word -- Mothman! A famous investigator examines the reports of this huge, red-eyed creature with wings seen over Point Pleasant, West Virginia on November 15, 1966 and the spawn of what would become known as Mothman seen before and after the famous sighting.

Dracula by Bram Stoker

It is perhaps one of the best known and most influential novels in all of literature: Dracula didn't merely inspire countless adaptations for stage and film, it invented an entire genre of horror -- the vampire story, which continues to evolve today into wildly varied directions. Anyone who wants to know where it all began must read this 1897 work, still startling and still terrifying even today. The story of English solicitor Jonathan Harker and his strange new client, Transylvanian aristocrat Count Dracula, this is the classic work of Victorian gothic horror, the continuing eerie wellspring of many of our cultural fantasies and nightmares. 

Whether you decide on aliens, monsters, or headless horsemen, we wish you all a safe and happy All Hallows Eve from everyone at Cosimo!

For a complete list of all things eerie and chilling, visit our cryptozoology, mystery, mythology & folklore, and UFO pages on our website.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween to all you ghosts and ghouls out there! In honor of this fantastic holiday, Cosimo would like to present our authors who are experts on all things unknown, creepy, and unnatural. 

Gear up for your spooky night by listening to Loren Coleman examine evidence of extinct animals coming back to life on After Dark Radio, read Nick Redfern's take on werewolves on Mysterious Universe, or watch Stanton Friedman discuss UFOs in an interview at Minnesota Paracon 2014.

Or, if you are in need of some entertainment while waiting for your little neighborhood witches and wizards to arrive at your door, tune in to Talk is Jericho for an interview with Cryptozoologist Loren Coleman, pop some popcorn and rent one of Nick Redfern's favorite Halloween horror flicks, or settle down with a good book. Perhaps Redfern's Body Snatchers in the Desert, Coleman's Mothman, or Friedman's Crash at Corona will tickle your fancy. For more of an old-fashioned classic scare, pick up Draula by Bram Stoker, The Man Who Knew Too Much by G. K. Chesterton, Mythical Monsters by Charles Gould, or The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving.

Whether you decide on aliens, monsters, or headless horsemen, we wish you all a safe and happy All Hallows Eve from everyone at Cosimo!

For a complete list of all things eerie and chilling, visit our cryptozoology, mystery, mythology & folklore, and UFO pages on our website.