Source/Credit: The Washington Post: On Faith

Two recent books argue that explorers Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama were more like Christian crusaders than greedy mercenaries or curious adventurers. Other historians, however, remain skeptical.

The books, released in the weeks leading up to Columbus Day (Oct. 10), claim the reason the famous navigators sought a direct trade route to India was to undermine Islam.

Read more:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/was-christopher-columbus-on-a-religious-crusade/2011/10/04/gIQASMRcLL_story.html