Dreams of Discovery — Jule Selbo

A determined man with a dream whose mentors and friendships supported him through his difficult life's journey...  John Cabot was born “Giovanni Caboto” in Genoa, Italy. As a child, he dreamed of captaining a ship across a mysterious, uncharted Ocean -- from Europe to the riches of China. There was another boy in Genoa at the same time, with the same dream: Cristofer Colombo. The Turks, in the 15th century, had a stranglehold on the trade routes to the Far East. Europe's race to find an alternative passage was heating up. But an explorer needed patrons, funds, knowledge, experience, ships -- and a vision. Cabot faced great personal obstacles and finally got his chance. Whereas Colombo had taken a south and west route from Spain, Cabot was convinced a more northern route from England would lead directly to China. Cabot remained convinced, even on his deathbed, that he'd reached China -- not realizing he'd claimed much of the North America for his patron, the King of England, and made an enduring contribution to the fabric of America.