The name of Christopher Columbus forever went down in the history of great shipping and geographical discoveries: he was the first to pave the way across the Atlantic to the American shores thanks to his perseverance and determination. A national holiday is dedicated to him, many films have been made about him, the country of Colombia, cities, a crater, an asteroid are named after him. However, his identity is still a mystery. Debunking myths and legends, the British historian Felipe Fernandez-Armesto created the most complete biography of Columbus to date - a self-taught, desperately trying to get favor at court, adventurer, dreamer.