House of Rain

Tracking a Vanished Civilization Across the American Southwest

De: Craig Childs

Narrado por: Craig Childs

A "beautifully written travelogue" that draws on the latest scholarly research as well as a lifetime of exploration to light on the extraordinary Anasazi culture of the American Southwest (Entertainment Weekly).

The greatest "unsolved mystery" of the American Southwest is the fate of the Anasazi, the native peoples who in the eleventh century converged on Chaco Canyon (in today's southwestern New Mexico) and built what has been called the Las Vegas of its day, a flourishing cultural center that attracted pilgrims from far and wide, a vital crossroads of the prehistoric world. The Anasazis' accomplishments -- in agriculture, in art, in commerce, in architecture, and in engineering -- were astounding, rivaling those of the Mayans in distant Central America.

By the thirteenth century, however, the Anasazi were gone from Chaco. Vanished. What was it that brought about the rapid collapse of their civilization? Was it drought? pestilence? war? forced migration? mass murder or suicide? For many years conflicting theories have abounded. Craig Childs draws on the latest scholarly research, as well as on a lifetime of adventure and exploration in the most forbidding landscapes of the American Southwest, to shed new light on this compelling mystery.

A look way, way back

I loved this.  Craig Childs writes about the history of the ancient American SW peoples with compassion and care, distilling ideas into a first person narrative of his exploration of landscapes and concepts.  This wasn't a quick listen for me and I took my time mulling over ideas, time-lines, and competing schools of thought.  I enjoyed his narration and thought it matched his writing style, in some places nearly poetry.  Thanks for this.

Masterful Ancient Mystery Adventure True Story

Strap on a pack, try to keep up as Craig Childs tracks the Ancient ones.

Outstanding

An evocative journey through time and space. The curiosity of the seeker and links between the landscape and its people are explored in a magnificent fashion. You are going to inspire more visits to the region. Kudos.

keeping me pacified

thank you Craig. as I haven't gotten to spend much time lately out in the world of ruins, you have captured, so well, the feeling of adventure and wonder of seeking out these wonderful people and places of the past. now, onto your next book!

Unraveling the rich history and migrations of the American Southwest indigenous cultures

Who were they? What happened in the 13th through 14th centuries to the Anasazi and the many indigenous peoples before colonization ? The author is an excellent writer, bringing the pre-history people’s to life.

My eyes continue to be opened!

The more I learn, the more I want to know! Craig, this is a very special book! Thank you!

Reads like a novel but with scientific facts

Well written! Like reading a novel written so one can feel the heat, rain and excitement of a new arachelogical find yet with the support of a scientific text.

Adventure and insight

A contemporary adventure story focused on ancient and prehistoric history previously unknown to me. My understanding of the American southwest has been immeasurably expanded. I loved the Tony Hillerman books with their insights into the Navajo culture and religion. This narrative nonfiction offers the best of storytelling for me.

Tlaloctlan

The Southwest part is excellent. The associations with some parts of Mesoamerica are a bit speculative.

Great true stories! So much knowledge shared! Thank you!

I like Craig’s style, he is one of a kind. This is a great primmer for Ancestral Pueblo history. Well researched and as accurate as can be from a perspective of the outside looking in.