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 people. 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.

It was believed that in 1491, the year before Columbus landed, the Americas were a near-pristine wilderness inhabited by small roaming bands of indigenous people. Here, Charles Mann provides a new, fascinating and iconoclastic account of the Americas before Columbus.

About the Author
Charles Mann is the co-author of four books, including The Second Creation: Makers of the Revolution in 20th Century Physics and Noah's Choice: The Future of Endangered Species. He is the correspondent for The Atlantic Monthly and Science magazines, and editorial co-ordinator for the internationally best-selling Material World books. He lives in Massachusetts.

Reviews
Brilliantly insightful and unsettling book -- Paul Muldoon * Times Literary Supplement *
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 * 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 *



Book Information
ISBN 9781862078765
Author Charles C. Mann
Format Paperback
Page Count 576
Imprint Granta Books
Publisher Granta Books
Weight(grams) 352g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 30mm