1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus [B1890]

2005 PB in nice clean condition. A groundbreaking work of science, history, and archaeology that radically alters our understanding of the Americas before the arrival of Columbus in 1492-from "a remarkably engaging writer" (The New York Times Book Review). Traditionally, Americans learned in school that the ancestors of the people who inhabited the Western Hemisphere at the time of Columbus's landing had crossed the Bering Strait twelve thousand years ago; existed mainly in small, nomadic bands; and lived so lightly on the land that the Americas was, for all practical purposes, still a vast wilderness. But as Charles C. Mann now makes clear, archaeologists and anthropologists have spent the last thirty years proving these and many other long-held assumptions wrong. For example: In 1491 there were probably more people living in the Americas than in Europe. The astonishing Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan had running water and immaculately clean streets, and was larger than any contemporary European city. Mexican cultures created corn in a specialized breeding process that it has been called man's first feat of genetic engineering. Indeed, Indians were not living lightly on the land but were landscaping and manipulating their world in ways that we are only now beginning to understand. Challenging and surprising, this a transformative new look at a rich and fascinating world we only thought we knew.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "Interesting read, with interesting evidence of sophisticated civilizations before European arrival."; "I knew from almost the beginning that this would be a five star book. More than anything, this book made me completely re-evaluate what I know and think about pre-Columbus North America. My understanding was previously limited and although the topic is expansive I now better know my misconceptions."; "Mann thoroughly supports all of the arguments he makes leaving little room for dispute. While occasionally long-winded, the detail included creates a vivid image and is much deserved by the peoples he describes. The few notes where he describes his journalist experiences add to narrative in a humorous manner while aiding in orienting the reader in the present day culture. I really enjoyed the sections about the western hemisphere's worldly influence and the environmental management practices used. Leaves me wondering more, good thing there is a sequel!"