1493

Uncovering the New World Columbus Created

By: Charles C. Mann

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Length: 17 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

From the author of 1491—the best-selling study of the pre-Columbian Americas—a deeply engaging new history of the most momentous biological event since the death of the dinosaurs.

More than 200 million years ago, geological forces split apart the continents. Isolated from each other, the two halves of the world developed radically different suites of plants and animals. When Christopher Columbus set foot in the Americas, he ended that separation at a stroke. Driven by the economic goal of establishing trade with China, he accidentally set off an ecological convulsion as European vessels carried thousands of species to new homes across the oceans.

The Columbian Exchange, as researchers call it, is the reason there are tomatoes in Italy, oranges in Florida, chocolates in Switzerland, and chili peppers in Thailand. More important, creatures the colonists knew nothing about hitched along for the ride. Earthworms, mosquitoes, and cockroaches; honeybees, dandelions, and African grasses; bacteria, fungi, and viruses; rats of every description—all of them rushed like eager tourists into lands that had never seen their like before, changing lives and landscapes across the planet.

Eight decades after Columbus, a Spaniard named Legazpi succeeded where Columbus had failed. He sailed west to establish continual trade with China, then the richest, most powerful country in the world. In Manila, a city Legazpi founded, silver from the Americas, mined by African and Indian slaves, was sold to Asians in return for silk for Europeans. It was the first time that goods and people from every corner of the globe were connected in a single worldwide exchange. Much as Columbus created a new world biologically, Legazpi and the Spanish empire he served created a new world economically.

As Charles C. Mann shows, the Columbian Exchange underlies much of subsequent human history. Presenting the latest research by ecologists, anthropologists, archaeologists, and historians, Mann shows how the creation of this worldwide network of ecological and economic exchange fostered the rise of Europe, devastated imperial China, convulsed Africa, and for two centuries made Mexico City—where Asia, Europe, and the new frontier of the Americas dynamically interacted—the center of the world. In such encounters, he uncovers the germ of today’s fiercest political disputes, from immigration to trade policy to culture wars.

In 1493, Charles Mann gives us an eye-opening scientific interpretation of our past, unequaled in its authority and fascination.

©2011 Charles C. Mann (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Charles Mann expertly shows how the complex, interconnected ecological and economic consequences of the European discovery of the Americas shaped many unexpected aspects of the modern world. This is an example of the best kind of history book: one that changes the way you look at the world, even as it informs and entertains.” (Tom Standage, author of A History of the World in Six Glasses)

“In 1491 Charles Mann brilliantly described the Americas on the eve of Columbus’s voyage. Now in 1493 he tells how the world was changed forever by the movement of foods, metals, plants, people and diseases between the ‘New World’ and both Europe and China. His book is readable and well-written, based on his usual broad research, travels and interviews. A fascinating and important topic, admirably told.” (John Hemming, author of Tree of Rivers)

“In the wake of his groundbreaking book 1491 Charles Mann has once again produced a brilliant and riveting work that will forever change the way we see the world. Mann shows how the ecological collision of Europe and the Americas transformed virtually every aspect of human history. Beautifully written, and packed with startling research, 1493 is a monumental achievement." (David Grann, author of The Lost City of Z)

Interesting look at unexpected connections

The book is provides a intersting look at the biologocal impacts of connecting the Americas to the old world and Asia. Well researched and paced. Enjoyable and thought provoking.

Great book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a fresh view of history and the legacy of European colonialism in the Americas

What did you like best about this story?

The global view of the issues with an eye on the current legacy and present effects

Which character – as performed by Robertson Dean – was your favorite?

Dean is a great narrator. He well personifies the voice of authority

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A living legacy of race and class discrimination

Any additional comments?

I would greatly recommend this book to students of history and social studies

connections between NA and the rest of the world

read the dead tree of 1491 which is one of my favourite books ever. was excited to see this one available on audible. of course it would be impossible to duplicate the charms of the first, because the subject matter can only be drastically different.

interesting story of international politics and trade. being entirely unfamiliar with world events of this period aside from some basic of north america and europe myself, I found the details hard to follow, but that's my deficit, not the author's. I might try relistening sometime in an attempt to retain more information.

I have to say that I found the author's attitude toward indigenous people less sympathetic than in 1491. I'd be interested to know what the reason for this is. different editor? for example, be describes at length a mission into the Amazon by one of his ancestors as tragic because of the deaths of some Europeans, but does not seem to be as bothered by much greater losses of indigenous lives in the same time and place. if I didn't know better I wouldn't guess it was the same author as 1491. but these attitudes are tragically common and any reader interested in such histories will likely be used to disregarding these attitudes and reading between the lines, unfortunately. the stories contained here are worth looking past this fault.

A sweeping view of the columbine exchange

Mann wrote a fascinating tale connecting Spain and China through silver, maize, and malaria.
As a history lover, this book gave me a new appreciation of the significance of malaria to the Americas. I found this book enlightening and enjoyable.

Liked as much as 1491.

I liked this as much as 1491 and it's a great companion book to it. I do think 1491 is slightly better.

Best "free" history book I have read.

Yes, very detailed reading or listening. Crisscrossing Europe's seeding of the "Americas and West Indies, including the Philippines.
The controversies about contemporary racial issues must be seen in perspective of centuries, values and habits of long deceased people and cultures that Dean's book tries to familiarize the reader with. Current events must be put in historical perspective. As my father loved to remind me: "There is nothing new under the sun".

Excellent Historical Read

I enjoy all types of history. This book is well constructed for given perspectives that are overlooked or are not not considered by most. One of my favourite books.

Absolutely Fascinating and Educationing!

This is a very well read book. It is also informative and thought provoking. I loved listening to it and I learned a lot.

I did not Know that!

Would you consider the audio edition of 1493 to be better than the print version?

Learned more about the impact of trade on the American and Other continents than i ever imagined. The impact of the mosquito is amazing.

What did you like best about this story?

Information

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The Killing Mosquito and The Potato

History has never been so interesting

I thought this was fascinating listen! The author draws connections between different events through history and shows their global impact. I really enjoyed this book.