"1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created" by Charles C. Mann explores the profound changes that followed Columbus's arrival in the Americas. Mann argues that this event marked the beginning of a global transformation, linking the Old World and the New World in unprecedented ways. The book investigates the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures that ensued, which is often referred to as the Columbian Exchange.
The author details how this exchange included not only crops and livestock but also diseases that drastically altered populations across continents. Mann highlights the consequences for indigenous peoples in the Americas, who faced devastation from diseases brought by Europeans, as well as the ecological shifts resulting from introduced species. The narrative illustrates the interconnectivity that began to shape the modern world.
