The Catalogue of Shipwrecked Books

Winner of the 2019 PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize, The Catalogue of Shipwrecked Books explores the extraordinary life of Hernando, the illegitimate son of Christopher Columbus, a visionary bibliophile and creator of Europe's largest private library. From his travels in the New World to his influential role in shaping European views of the world, Hernando's pursuits in print, mapmaking, and knowledge collection left a lasting legacy. Edward Wilson-Lee's detailed biography highlights his contributions to the age of exploration and the transformative power of the print revolution, offering engaging insights into a remarkable historical figure.