The best book ever written on the Columbian exchange. A significant book for High School and College students. A rewriting of all American History books should occur as well as discussion that has far-reaching implications concerning slavery ,formal state apologies and the concept of learning from the past in order to create a better future for all of humankind.

This is a masterful work that encompasses the story of all of us in way both unique and thought provoking!a must read for anyone with curiosity about our "new global" perspective!

I think of myself as someone who's somewhat knowledgeable about 16th and 17th century European and Americas history, but I learned many new things from Charles Mann's 1493. Highly recommended.

I have read this book and it's companion 1491. I have an undergraduate degree in history. I read history and biography as my 'relaxing' reading even though my advanced degrees are in theology. I must say these two books have changed how I view the pre- and post-Columbian worlds. This is not the way I learned history in school more than 50 years ago.