The Guinness Book of Records 1492: The World Five Hundred Years Ago

by Deborah Manley (Editor)

The knowledge and insights of an international team of over fifty historians give a vivid view of life at the time from commoners to monarchs, Incas to Italians.

Enhanced by the art and artifacts of the era, this beautiful volume documents an astonishing range of information.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1992

Reviews

[Abby Epplett]

Much like the modern Guinness Book of Records, Guinness Publishing produced the book back in 1992 for the anniversary of Christopher Columbus and his crew arriving in the Caribbean. Unlike the modern record book, where records do not rely on the judgement of trained GRW employees but on primary resources from the time period with varying levels of accuracy. Deborah Manley, a co-founder of the Association for the Study of Travel in Egypt and the Near East (ASTENE) and a prolific author, was editor of the book, while Dr. Geoffrey Scammell, a history professor from England, was editorial consultant.

While some parts of the book would be written differently today, particularly with more fleshed-out sections of sub-Saharan African, Oceanian, and American cultures, "The Guinness Book of Records 1492" is a great starter guide for those looking to learn more about the time period. While I read the book from cover to cover, readers can appreciate the book as a reference source and select the sections that hold their interest. I would be interested to see an update, as archeological discovers and new interpretations change how history is presented. This book is out of print and only available in hard cover but typically easy to find at an affordable price. A small number are still held in public libraries. If you are interested in the late Medieval and post-medieval time periods, this is a great resource to have.

Read the full review on my blog:
https://abbyeppletthistorian.blogspot...

[Amanda]

Good, some of the manner of writing is dated, but doesn't seem offensive. I liked the idea of presenting the information in a medieval-looking font and style, but in reality it made it less readable. The pictures were clear, and the bibliography was appropriate for high-school or layman's level researchers to look into.

[Abraham Ray]

nice book! I own a copy now!

[Janet]

A demoralizing read. Have a friend skim it and tell you the highlights. If you don't like your friend very much.