This is a good book, and like previously stated by another reviewer, it is an easy read. However, I just see too many errors throughout the pages of this book. I love any good history book as I'm working on my MA in Latin American Studies. But, this book, for all its good qualities, makes some far-fetched assumptions with neither the data nor the facts to back it up. A lot is said in this book that should have been said a long time ago, but over crediting doesn't help the situation. Basically, if I wrote this as a thesis paper, I'd be laughed at and told to try again.

I chose this book to read for my history class. It is quite boring! Only about 10% of the book is interesting. It is so oddly written. The writer goes from personal experiences, to historical facts, to "Did you know?" facts and then attempts to tie it all together at the end of each chapter. Yes, some of the facts are interesting, but you don't know if they are true. He hardly talks about the Indians of America. He always refers back to the Incas or the South Africans or some other weird "Indian" that I have never heard of. I couldn't stop falling asleep while reading it either! If you don't want to be bored and confused, do not buy this book!!!!

The points made in this book are not new. You can find the same ideas expressed in other history books about the impact of "discovering" the new world on the old world. Mr. Weatherford just does it in an anecdotal style with emphasis on contributions made by the indigenous american people. What's interesting to me is some of the reviews. Whenever someone writes a book discussing the ingenuity of indian or other "colored" people reviews pop up discrediting the book off-hand saying it's politically correct propaganda. I suspect these reviews are made by white males who cling to the idea the white man is superior and non-white people should be subservient. For them any discussion of non-white people having better ideas is anathema. Some people have stated that this book is inaccurate but they don't offer credible counter arguments. Instead they nitpick about dates and other details.