Title: 1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created
Author: Charles C. Mann
First published August 9, 2011
557 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780307265722 (ISBN10: 0307265722)
Rating: 4.11
Overview
Charles C. Mann, the author of the best-selling study of the pre-Columbian Americas, 1491, presents a deeply engaging new history of the most momentous biological event since the death of the dinosaurs in his book, 1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created.
In this book, Mann explores the ecological and economic convulsions that arose when Christopher Columbus set foot in the Americas and ended the separation of the two halves of the world that had developed radically different suites of plants and animals. The Columbian Exchange, as researchers call it, is the reason behind the worldwide network of ecological and economic exchange that fostered the rise of Europe, devastated imperial China, convulsed Africa, and made Mexico City the center of the world for two centuries.
Mann uncovers the germ of today’s fiercest political disputes, from immigration to trade policy to culture wars in these encounters. In this fascinating scientific interpretation of our past, Mann presents the latest research by ecologists, anthropologists, archaeologists, and historians that will leave readers with an eye-opening and authoritative view of history.
About the Author
Meet Charles C. Mann, a talented author and journalist who has written for Science and The Atlantic Monthly.
He has coauthored four books, including Noah’s Choice: The Future of Endangered Species and The Second Creation. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his exceptional writing skills, receiving awards from organizations such as the American Bar Association, Margaret Sanger Foundation, American Institute of Physics, and Alfred P.
Sloan Foundation. He has also been a finalist for the National Magazine Award three times.
Two of his pieces were selected for The Best American Science Writing 2003 and The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2003. Charles resides in Amherst, Massachusetts with his wife and their children.
Editoral Review
Charles C. Mann’s 1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created is a provocative and eye-opening exploration of the aftermath of Columbus’s voyages to the Americas.
Mann, a journalist and historian, challenges the traditional narrative of Columbus as a heroic explorer, and instead examines the larger global impact of his voyages on the world we know today. The book is essentially a sequel to Mann’s earlier work, 1491, which examined the civilizations that existed in the Americas before Columbus.
In 1493, Mann continues his examination, but shifts the focus to the Old World, where he explores the global repercussions of the Columbian Exchange – the exchange of crops, animals, and diseases between the Americas and the rest of the world. Mann’s writing is engaging and informative, and he manages to strike a balance between providing detailed historical analysis and telling a compelling story.
Along the way, he introduces readers to a diverse range of characters, each of whom played a role in shaping the modern world, from Spanish conquistadors to Chinese artisans to enslaved Africans. The result is a rich tapestry of people, places, and ideas that paints a vivid picture of the complex forces at work during this transformative period in world history.
One of the strengths of 1493 is Mann’s ability to connect the historical events of Columbus’s era to contemporary issues, such as globalization, environmentalism, and cultural exchange. Throughout the book, Mann makes it clear that the legacy of Columbus’s voyages is still with us today, for better or for worse.
At the same time, he avoids falling into the trap of simplistic judgments or facile moralizing, instead allowing the complexity of these issues to emerge through his careful research and analysis. The book is not without its flaws, however.
Mann’s focus on the global impact of the Columbian Exchange means that he can sometimes lose sight of the immediate consequences for the people of the Americas themselves. While he does touch on issues like Native American displacement and genocide, they are not always given the same amount of attention as other aspects of the story.
Additionally, Mann’s writing can occasionally be dense and academic, which may make the book less accessible to general readers. Overall, however, 1493 is an excellent and highly informative work of history that sheds new light on a pivotal moment in world history.
It is recommended for anyone with an interest in the history of the Americas or the globalization of the modern world. Mann’s writing is insightful, engaging, and thought-provoking, and his analysis is sure to spark lively debate and discussion among readers.
For these reasons, we give 1493 a score of 4 out of 5 stars.
