The author presents a good overview of what the Americas were like pre-Europeans. The first complaint I have is that there aren't enough pictures and diagrams. The author frequently provides a long, narrative description of something, when a picture or diagram would help immensely. When there is such, it's usually too many pages past the description to be helpful. My second complaint is that the author often presents interpretations that have been disproven without warning. I spent a lot of time integrating ideas that were later shown by the author to be replaced by a better explanations. I like that he shows the evolution of interpretations based on available evidence, but a little heads up would have been helpful.

I enjoyed this book very much. The historical information and detail are impressive and it was written with respect for the cultures described. However, it is fairly technical, and I spent a good bit of time looking up terms with which I’m unfamiliar. That said, I’ve gained a huge appreciation and respect for the peoples who lived in pre-Colombian Americas.

English major here: Mann writes in an easy to read form highlighting and summarizing in an engaging way research that is digestible. I don’t even read historical books, but this is truly one of my most interesting reads of all time. Learned so much and needed this knowledge to know what the US, all the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe is all about - context to our modern day society. Explains a lot!!!

Provides a sweeping outline of all the history we are never taught. Absolutely essential for anyone who wants a complete education of the Americas.

I like picture books better.

Best read I've had in a few years. Fascinating, contained at least 5 ideas I'd never thought about before, which hardly ever happens anymore. One reviewer complained of 'excessive trivia' but this is not the case at all. Each historical example supports a larger point, and the result is cohesive and highly readable.

A noble effort that is burdened by excessive tangential trivia and poor editing.

I read this years ago and really enjoyed it. If this topic interests you it is a great book.