China Discovered America First in 1421, Before Columbus in 1492

This piece just came across the transom from a high school friend of mine living in Hawaii.  Here is what he wrote:

I feel like I scored big time today.   Wife and I went to Costco in Hawaii Kai to do some shopping… and like I always do, I spend time looking at the books in the book section.   Lo and behold!… in the stacks of books was a stack of books called “1421 – The Year China Discovered America” by Gavin Menzies… and was selling for $9.99… normally $15.99 outside.   A beautiful soft-bound book about 2 inches thick… with several sections of plates (pictures) and other illustrations.  So I scooped me up a copy quickly… and told da wife that I was buying a book (she normally frowns on my buying books as there’s no place to put them at home).  I never thought I would get a copy so soon… think’n that I would probably have to check out a copy at the library… or that I would probably get one if somebody turned in their book at Rainbow Book Store on University Ave… you know, second hand.  I was willing to wait.  But now, I don’t have to!

Here is writeup on the book…

    http://www.1421.tv/

If you’re interested in gett’n the book, I strongly recommend that you run down to Costco and get your copy at the bargain price before they run out.  I only saw one stack.   Of course, growing up thinking that Columbus discovered America, and Magellan was the first to sail around the world, I read with a very skeptical eye… but I’m willing to go forth with an open mind.   I’m sure there will be a lot of questions I have about what’s said in the book… but I look at the endeavor as a reading adventure.

Attached [below] is a fascinating map from the book.   It shows the world voyages of the various Chinese explorers.  From the map, I can see who explored where… but I have to read the book to see what is said about them… be it true or not.  Of course there are many skeptics out there… I will read what they have to say and then accept or not.  I’m sure I will have my own questions and thought of conflict… but what an exciting endeavor to be embarking on….