From the Bookshelf of Science and Inquiry…

1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus

Charles C. Mann

Start date: August 9, 2005

Finish date: September 9, 2011

Discussion: Book Club 2011

Discussion leader: Betsy

Why we're reading this: because this book is all about our country and history repeats itself so i want to nominate this book.
[close] because this book is all about our country and history repeats itself so i want to nominate this book.

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Book Club 2011

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What Members Thought

Jan 18, 2016 Charlene rated it liked it

Shelves: history, non-fiction-inequality

In order to tell a more accurate story of the Indians, a term Native Americans informed the author they prefer, Charles Mann collected an astonishing amount of evidence from many fields such as history, archeology, and epidemiology. Fitting all the data, Mann put together a portrait of Indians that is probably largely unfamiliar to those of us who relied on accounts told by the perpetrators and winners of the genocide that took place after 1492.

His account is fairly dry at times. It felt as if
In order to tell a more accurate story of the Indians, a term Native Americans informed the author they prefer, Charles Mann collected an astonishing amount of evidence from many fields such as history, archeology, and epidemiology. Fitting all the data, Mann put together a portrait of Indians that is probably largely unfamiliar to those of us who relied on accounts told by the perpetrators and winners of the genocide that took place after 1492.

His account is fairly dry at times. It felt as if he wanted to get every detail in the book but wasn't quite sure how to weave it into a story.So, if you require passion in a book, this probably isn't the best match. However, if you are interested in correcting the incorrect assumptions you may have been holding onto, this is worth the read. It is clear that Jared Diamond was a huge influence for this author. His work was highlighted so often, I found myself wishing Diamond would write a book that narrows its focus to the history of Native Americans. I really enjoyed Guns, Germs, and Steel and could easily imagine Diamond researching a bit more about Native Americans in order to writing an engaging book solely about their plight.

I heard that Mann wrote a scathing review of Harari's Sapiens. This really surprised me because sapiens was, in my opinion, one of the best books of 2015. Mann could have benefitted from adopting Harari's writing style.

Regardless of his style, Mann does an excellent job of setting the record straight, as well as explaining the many roadblocks that resulted in the misrepresentation of Indians. I could not help but go back to every memory I had of Squanto, and at times I just sat in disbelief, remembering story hour in my elementary school library. Even though other books clued me into the fact that Indians had a rich culture that was not at all inline with what American children are taught, this book really helped drive than home.

If you enjoyed this book, I highly recommend Dee Brown's 1970's book, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. It relies on historical tellings instead of the science Mann is privy to, but it was an excellent read. ...more

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Jun 25, 2013 Mag rated it liked it

I have finished listening to the audio version, but apparently it is abridged, something I didn't notice when I was buying it. It was quite interesting, so now I'm waiting for the hard copy to read and compare.
I would say that it's definitely worth reading. ...more

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Feb 08, 2010 Steve Van Slyke rated it really liked it

Shelves: science, history

For some one new to the subject I felt it was quite good. Professionals in the field might find it "lacking rigor" but that's probably the reason I liked it. It was an easy, interesting read. ...more

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Oct 21, 2011 Tom rated it really liked it

Mann makes some great arguments for a revisionist view of history, the the arguments often spiral away, making it tough for the reader to remember the point he is trying to make.

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