This is a great book and wonderful sequel to 1491. Charles Mann writes very readable history. The book provides a wealth of interesting information about the massive changes in the world and its peoples as a result of Columbus's "discovery" of America. Most interesting to me was his tale of the galleon trade - where silver from Potosi in Bolivia (probably the world's richest at the time) was carried to the Philippines and thence traded to the Chinese (who were desperate for currency) for fine silks and porcelain which were in return taken to Europe (or Mexico).

Another really interesting part was the history of the tens of thousands of escaped slaves in Brazil who formed communities in the Amazon basin with the Indian inhabitants. Many of these maroon communities were never known to exist until recently.

Overall, the book goes a long way to explain globalization - factually - and with sensitivity to both the advantages and disadvantages for various peoples and nations.

I highly recommend it!