Hi! This book [edit: 1491.. but also sometimes 1493] comes up in the sub all the time, so I've taken a spin around for some comments by flairs and others. I'll just drop some quick-and-dirty links cuz there are several:

• it's our our sub's book list! https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/books/americas#wiki_general_na_history

• /u/davratta /u/anthropology_nerd and /u/restricteddata https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2jnri2/how_reliable_is_the_book_1491_new_revelations_of/ [edit 2: eep - wrong link the first time!]

• [deleted] and /u/brigantus https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/17iazd/question_about_revisionist_native_american/

• a long discussion featuring /u/lukeweiss https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2ccrx7/why_african_slaves_why_not_oriental_arabic_or/cjecd0o

• /u/jschooltiger and /u/zekthegeke https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3u1y82/after_glancing_through_all_the_jared_diamond/cxbg24y

• /u/Reedstilt /u/OldeHickory and a mention by /u/5432nun https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3e71l9/ive_recently_realised_that_while_i_understand/

• /u/restricteddata https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1d0x2s/im_embarrassed_to_know_so_little_about/c9lyt2f?context=10000

• /u/Tiako and /u/mictlantecuhtli https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3ynqiq/2015_in_books_share_your_reading_list_from_the/cyf2iwv

• a nod from /u/smileyman https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3gzzr0/so_i_just_started_reading_a_peoples_history_of/cu3gwth

• /u/retarredroof https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2xo7w3/why_do_so_many_historians_believe_that/cp2ce0a?context=10000

• /u/RioAbajo https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2yws81/friday_freeforall_march_13_2015/cpe709l

I'm interested in his section on the Amazon and the cultures that inhabited it in the pre-Columbian. From what I understand, that region was only recently opening up to archeological research when he wrote the book. What more do we know today?

Both books are awesome! Mann does a great job using scientific studies/journals for his books and does a great job in balancing arguments of historians and scientists. Its worth the read. I still cant believe that the most controversial part of 1491 is the last chapter, which is the shortest. Currently reading 1493 and it is an eye opener, or mind opener, as 1491 everytime i turn the page.