This is an extremely dense read and tends to drag in the first chapter. However it is a great, basic introduction to various archaeological theories and research about natives cultures in the Americas before Columbus. At times it gets boring reading various scientific research however this helps to explain much of the theories and debates. For example, Mann delves into the theory that European diseases and sickness helped to decimate native populations and goes into DNA and mitochondrial DNA. The good part is that Mann really only covers the basic and simplifies the more complex theories. As you go further into the book into part II its gets more interesting and is filled with facts and tidbits about these native cultures and their superiority in some ways to European cultures. For example, Mexican and Central American cultures are credited with creating tomatoes long before Europeans started using them. The Americas is also credited with the creation of maize and its varieties.

Definitely worth reading. I was constantly amazed by the advancements of the Americas and saddened by the failure of the world to recognize this.