In these moving stories if Angelina Grimké Weld; wife of abolitionist Theodore Weld; Varina Howell Davis; wife of Confederate president Jefferson Davis; and Julia Dent grant; wife of Ulysses S. Grant; Carol Berkin reveals how women understood the cataclysmic events of their day. Their stories; taken together; help reconstruct the era of the Civil War with a greater depth and complexity by adding women's experiences and voices to their male counterparts.
#2569 in Books Charles C Mann 2006-10-10 2006-10-10Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x 1.06 x 5.20l; 1.25 #File Name: 1400032059541 pages1491 New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Another Shift in HistoryBy Frank AugustineFor me; "1491" is the second of two significant shifts in history not presented in my generation of schooling experience (New York); or available to those of us with a passion for "what really happened?" My first revelation came with: "Guns; Germs; and Steel;" by Jared Diamond. If keeping a library; they should be placed next to each other. As far as rating the book; I thought it could have been edited a bit tighter in some of the extended narrative examples. Having said that; readers should be prepared; it is lengthy; but worth it.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Good history - even if a little biasedBy Craig AlgerVery insightful and interesting read! I suspect there is a bit of subjectivity due to a biased author; but the historical references and research was very enlightening and even surprising. Definitely worth a read for anyone interested in paleo- and/or pre-Columbian American history!10 of 11 people found the following review helpful. Well written account of the latest theories on pre-Columbian historyBy CustomerI mistakenly put off reading this book because I was unsure whether it was properly researched and supported; or more of a speculative work like the Menzies book about the Chinese 'discovering' America. In fact; Mann is a respected writer for Science; National Geographic and other journals of record; and the book contains lengthy bibliographical notes. Mann does occasionally argue for a particular; controversial interpretation; but he balances each discussion with other views.The other reviews here do a good job of summarizing; so I'll be more subjective. I think this is an important book. Over time it seems bound to cause people to reassess a range of issues around aboriginal rights andd the environment. At least one reviewer has already decried this book as propoganda for the anti-environmental right. I think this is a shallow interpretation. Mann's point is that the pre-Columbian people were more populous and had greater impact (much greater) on the landscape than previously recognized. However; that this would justify modern environmental atrocities is as absurd as saying Aztec practices justify modern human sacrifice; or 16th century Spanish colonial policy justifies slavery and religious crusade. Instead "1491" could provide context for modern debate as well as some possibly very interesting opportunities to apply pre-Columbian agricultural techniques (heterogenous Maize cultivation and charcoal enrichment of ian soil for example) to current environment policy.But the book was not written as a policy guide; and is easy to read as just a rich historical tapestry. The story contains triumphs such as the rise of mesoamerican and peruvian cultures; and a wide range of horrible tragedies...primarily the recurrent plagues that swept the continent after the Europeans arrived.I have lived in the western US my entire life; and reading this book has changed my perception of the land around me. It is easy to think all the history is back in the eastern part of the country; or Europe or Asia. After reading this book and "One Vast Winter Count" (a history of the American West before Lewis and Clark; recommended by Mann as a supplement to his book); the history of my part of the world is suddenly alive and the landscape itself feels richer.Highly recommended.
