The American Discovery of Europe investigates the voyages of America's Native peoples to the European continent before Columbus's 1492 arrival in the New World. The product of over twenty years of exhaustive research in libraries throughout Europe and the United States; the book presents a vast number of primary and secondary sources to paint a clear picture of the diverse and complex societies that comprised the Americas before 1492 and reveals the surprising Native American involvements in maritime trade and exploration. Starting with an encounter by Columbus himself with mysterious people who had apparently been carried across the Atlantic on favourable currents; Forbes proceeds to a detailed discussion of ocean currents and then to exploring the seagoing expertise of early Americans in the Caribbean; on the coasts of Greenland; and beyond. He also discusses theories of ancient migrations; the evidence for human origins in the Americas; and other early visitors coming from Europe to America; including the Norse. The book closes with a discussion of Native travellers to Europe after 1493; when they came mostly as slaves. The provocative; extensively documented; and heartfelt conclusions of The American Discovery of Europe present an open challenge to received historical wisdom. This book will be of lasting importance to Native peoples and will redefine the way future scholarship views American history.
#1397606 in Books 2004-07-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.00 x 6.00l; .94 #File Name: 0252072189288 pages
Review
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful. Excellent readBy Ali KatDr. Edwards' book covers the experience of the three main categories of Southern women before; during and after the Civil War. Particularly impressive is her work on poor white women because they are the most difficult to research. Rich white women left diaries and the Freedman's Bureau left a great deal of documentation on former slave women. Poor white women had not the time; education and materials to write; nor the interest of any organization; much less a government bureaucracy. Not only is this book excellent for the information and analyses it contains; but also for the smooth writing style that moves easily through the material. Dr. Edwards uses the stories of individuals to relate larger trends; again making it more fun to read. I absolutely recommend this book for anyone interested in the subject matter.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Good sellerBy Phil FoxGood book interesting perspective on women during the war2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Great for ResearchBy FantasiaI am writing a thesis on the Southern women of the civil war era. This book is very informative! Book came as described.
