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1492: The Year The World Began (2009)

by Felipe Fernández-Armesto(Favorite Author)

3.47 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

0061132276 (ISBN13: 9780061132278)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

HarperOne

review 1: I suppose to legit historians this book would feel like it's barely scratching the surface, because the narrative moves fast and covers many areas, but to someone like me who practically knew nothing about most of what was tackled in the first place, it's a more than good enough introduction to spark interest about this particular period in history.Among other things, I personally enjoyed reading about:* significant civilizations in Africa, and how Europeans back then had much respect for black people, because they seem to have so much gold* the Chinese and their technology to navigate the oceans, how there was a period when they did travel extensively, except their inherent view that people should come to them instead of them reaching out robbed them off of the chance to ... moremake the first contact with the west by the sea* Ivan Ivanovich, Muscovy, and how bad-ass them Russians of old were in general* how idealized chivalric qualities highlighted in the entertainment of the day influenced European loonies to break out of the mold and venture into the unknown* the infinitely many ways humans mold their definitions of God as they saw fit1492 is definitely more than just about Columbus landing in America. This book gives a good glimpse of the world's peoples and cultures from around that time.
review 2: Filled with interesting facts i never knew before, I am disappointed to only be able to rate this book 3 stars (and that is being generous). It is not well written, and incredibly dry. At times he argues that popular historical opinions are wrong, but never presents evidence to refute them, only giving evidence to support the books own argument. This may be a great book for an historian,b ut as a hobbyist, I found it a tedious, never-ending project. less

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