Initially I found this book interesting and he gives a lot of good information on the status of Native American society prior to 1492. He builds a very good case for people in the Americas being very advanced, which is not a view portrayed in many history books. He does seem to spin some complex stories around very little evidence at times. It seems later in the book he began to ramble and seemed to jump from north to south America, and forward and back thousands of years at times without taking a breath. It did also start to feel redundant as when revisited stories from the Beni region several times. I still have 2 hours left of this 16 hour book but not sure I can finish it. If you are interested in Native American culture prior to 1492 then this is a useful book. If you are looking for a engaging read that will keep you turning pages, then this may not be your book.

Thoroughly researched, well-organized, and written, I highly recommend this book. The narration is clear and oftentimes riveting. I especially enjoyed the personal anecdotes the author shares to highlight important points and perspectives. After reading this book, I'm now reading his next book, 1493, and am likewise enjoying it immensely. The author is particularly strong in biological and ecological history and in its great effect on conventional political history, which I found fascinating. His writings are mind-expanding. jkh -February 2026.

Thought provoking and very worthwhile book.

it was great. very educational

Enlightenin!

I am a Caribbean Taino and I think the information he put forth is an account of who we are as indigenous people before Europeans. An the fact that it is our land and not any one body of any government.

Excellent book on pre-western America. The book is a great collection of cultures and situations in a non-chronological way backing up certain premises the author wants to explain. It absolutely woke an interest to read much more!

Changed my perspective on many of the ecological functions in the Americas.

Mind completely blown plain and simple. It’s hard to find words to describe the feeling, when all the sudden you’re eyes are opened to a new way of thinking. The experience is priceless.

the book is unorganized and incredibly boring. I couldn’t get past the first 10 pages without having to reread because there was no story line. stop giving this book to apush classes to read.

Awesome summarized read of Indian history. Mann really knew how to take a crazy amount of information and stick it through a compressor that only leaves the juicy stuff.

Amazing book. Personally, I never had an education on anything in the Americas before the pilgrims arrived to find backwards savages with no history. If the book has "no focus" it is because Mann seems to simply provide the most expansive and objective data we have discovered on the histories of American populations. To me, it felt like he alternated between exciting (maybe narrative is the right word) histories, and then dry technical backgrounds on data collection. I loved it. So enjoyable. I purposely chose this book because of my complete lack of knowledge, and I was not disappointed at any time.

incredible,one thing history so much enjoyable.

Other reviews have stated the book is all over the place and it is a bit. However, if you can past that, it’s an awesome book with so much information and insight.

I agree with the other reviewers that this book wanders all over the place -- North America and then South America and then Central America all in one chapter. He makes some interesting points and "connects the dots" on what various researchers, archeologists, historians, geologists, etc. are doing in their own fields. Narration was excellent.

I wish it were good. Good topic, poorly organized. Sorry.

The author created a novel like history of the America's before the European invasion. He used interviews, site visits, reports and publication from current academic, scientific and applied researchers concerning the early inhabitants of the Americas. I found the book incredibly interesting and well supported by specialists in the fields of archeology, anthropology, biology, geology, genetics, and many other fields. I enjoyed the historical research perspective and the evolution of its findings and conclusions. Also noteworthy are the comparisons to European culture during the same periods for a good perspective. While some, possibly many of the conclusions, are controversial the portrayal of the findings and conclusions appear logical and well supported. It definitely made you think and in many parts made you reconsider your previous beliefs about early indigenous populations. I like the book and thought the narrator did an excellent job conveying the material.

Was all over the place. A lot of interesting facts. But, Not sure where he was going. There was no focus.