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Before Columbus - The Americas of 1491 by Charles C. Mann

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J Nonfiction - 970.01 MAN
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
2009
109 pages, includes glossary

Do you enjoy reading new research that debunks old beliefs and theories? Do you like being updated with new facts that clear up past historical "mysteries"? Then, THIS is the book for you! Charles Mann takes readers way back in the Americas' history and shows how people and civilizations were present much earlier that scientists had previously believed. He also discusses how these magnificent ancient civilizations were each conquered, sometimes wiped out, by Europeans. The reasons for that, a small army vastly outnumbered being able to capture the leader and take over a city, may surprise you. It actually has very little to do with weapons. The book is full of artist's renditions of past events as well as modern photographs showing some of the incredible ruins of these cultures. Thoroughly enjoyable, a great nonfiction read.
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