1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus
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Overview
Starred Review. In a riveting and fast-paced history, massing archeological, anthropological, scientific and literary evidence, Mann debunks much of what we thought we knew about pre-Columbian America. Reviewing the latest, not widely reported research in Indian demography, origins and ecology, Mann zestfully demonstrates that long before any European explorers set foot in the New World, Native American cultures were flourishing with a high degree of sophistication. The new researchers have turned received wisdom on its head. For example, it has long been believed the Inca fell to Pizarro because they had no metallurgy to produce steel for weapons. In fact, scholars say, the Inca had a highly refined metallurgy, but valued plasticity over strength. What defeated the Inca was not steel but smallpox and resulting internecine warfare. Mann also shows that the Maya constructed huge cities and governed them with a cohesive set of political ideals. Most notably, according to Mann, the Haudenosaunee, in what is now the Northeast U.S., constructed a loose confederation of tribes governed by the principles of individual liberty and social equality. The author also weighs the evidence that Native populations were far larger than previously calculated. Mann, a contributor to the Atlantic Monthly and Science, masterfully assembles a diverse body of scholarship into a first-rate history of Native America and its inhabitants. 56 b&w photos, 15 maps.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Reviews (11)
1491:New Revelations
Written by Anonymous on October 27th, 2008
- Book Rating: 4/5
Most interesting book, covering a period I knew little about. Can be difficult to follow all of the characters and requires a great deal of focus. But, is well worth the effort.
1491
Written by E. Weisz on September 17th, 2008
- Book Rating: 1/5
The book is tedious and uninteresting. The author tries to make a point that the society in existence before 1491 was as advanced as other parts of the World and he is unconvincing.
Content is just too good
Written by Shane Nixon from Burlington, NC on June 18th, 2008
- Book Rating: 2/5
The narration lacks something. The way it is recorded is not great. Even the sound quality wasn't superb. But the content is just too good not to finish. Compelling evidence, a good theory, and well done reserach. Certainly not great, but good!
Worth While
Written by A. O'Brien from Newport, VT on May 15th, 2008
- Book Rating: 5/5
I really enjoyed this book! The narration was good, the writing itself translated well into a spoken medium, and the content seemed expansive and even handed without getting lost in the weeds on the finer points. The book is closed with a question, and for me the answer is "Yes".
1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus
Written by Michael Scott from Santa Cruz, CA on April 17th, 2008
- Book Rating: 3/5
While I enjoyed the subject matter of this book, and learned quite a bit from listening to it, both the sheer volumne of information presented in this book, and the monotone of the narrator made this a book I would not recommend to commuters. Too many distractions to follow it all. I think this title would be best read in print, rather than in audiobook format.
Excellent Book!
Written by Helen J. from Ramona, CA on April 15th, 2008
- Book Rating: 5/5
This was an excellent book in my view. Did get a bit academic, but worth all the new information on ancient Meso-American cultures.The stories the author gave both interested and gave a good visual to the many cultures in the region. The difference between American Indian culture and Yucantan Indian culture was nicely presented to the listener. Recommend this audio book for anyone that loves native Indian cultures and wants an updated view.
1491
Written by gbgms on March 2nd, 2007
- Book Rating: 5/5
I found this book very interesting, I can see where the maps would have been a big help. It can become a little taxing as names and places all start sounding the same, but the points were clear. If you have an inerest in colonial development the the last disk is a must hear.
1491
Written by William Anderson on October 25th, 2006
- Book Rating: 2/5
Pretty boring.. there where a few interesting parts but over all not worth the time it took to listen to.
1491
Written by Evelyn McAdams on May 23rd, 2006
- Book Rating: 1/5
not what i expected at all,very dry and textbook like. was very disappointed
A Well Written, Thought Provoking Work WITHOUT a Political Agenda
Written by Tonytoga from Houston, TX on May 3rd, 2006
- Book Rating: 4/5
When Columbus's little fleet sailed out of the Spanish port of Palos on August 3, 1492, we he sailing to two continents (N & S America) lightly inhabited by socially and technically societies of Indians or was he headed for continents crowed with a total population greater than that of Europe with a rich history of scientific and social accomplishment? This well written book explores these questions and thankfully, it does it in a non-ecopolitical way. It doesn't attempt to provide all the answers (we simply don't have all of them), but it does look at several potential answers to some of the most enduring questions remaining from that period. This is a look at pre-European America from a perspective you may never before have considered. Well worth your time.