1491: The Americas Before Columbus

Description

Up until very recently it was believed that in 1491, the year before Columbus landed, the Americas, one-third of the earth's surface, were a near-pristine wilderness inhabited by small, roaming bands of indigenous peoples. But recently unexpected discoveries have dramatically changed our understanding of Indian Life. Many scholars now argue that the Indians were much more numerous, were in the Americas for far longer, and had far more ecological impact on the land than previously believed This knowledge has enormous implications for today's environmental disputes, yet little has filtered into textbooks, and even less into public awareness. Mann brings together all of the latest research, and the results of his own travels throughout North and South America, to provide a new, fascinating and iconoclastic account of the Americas before Columbus.

Charles Mann is the co-author of four books, includingThe Second Creation: Makers of the Revolution in 20th Century Physics and Noah's Choice: The Future of Endangered Species

'Brilliantly insightful and unsettling book' Paul Muldoon, TLS *'A brilliant and startling exploration of the largely unrecognised great prehistoric cultures of the Americas' Popular Science Review 'Mann rewrites the history of the new world before Columbus. It should be compulsory reading for anyone teaching the history of the Americas' Tribune 'A well- researched and racily written new book... There are few better introductory books on the civilisations of pre- Columbian America, and none so up- to- date' The Spectator 'An immensely valuable book to anyone interested in agriculture and ecology as well as history and archeology. It is also rich in gossip about academic squabbles' Morning Star