1491

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A few months back I checked out a book about ancient America; written by an academic historian, I found it pretty heavy going, but interesting. Also available at the library of the University Near Here was this book, 1491, obviously covering some of the same ground. And its author, Charles C. Mann, is more of a journalist than an academic. (He also has a couple writing credits at IMDB, one for an episode of Law & Order.) 1491 won the 2006 NAS Keck Award for best book of the year.

So, yeah, it's good. If you have enough of an interest to read one book about pre-Columbus Americas, this is probably it. Mann colors his text with stories about his own explorations to archeological digs all over both North and South America. He also, when he feels like it, contradicts the book's title by slipping in more recent history. He's especially good at discussing some of the controversies and new discoveries in the field. As you might not expect, there's a lot of controversy, and the disagreements between academics can be intense and bitter. Pass the popcorn.

I am not even a dilettante in matters historical; I'm mainly looking for good stories and provocative ideas. Mann provides a lot. His overall themes: there were a lot more Indians in the Americas than was thought even a few decades ago. Their societies were unexpectedly complex. Far from the caricature of the Indian in harmony with nature, they engaged in environment-altering practices, transforming both the landscape and its flora and fauna.

Some examples: Mann investigates the origin of maize; where and when the original Indians came from; the rise and fall of Cahokia, a huge city just east of current-day St. Louis; how the Haudenosaunee traditions of individual freedom and limited government influenced the European colonists.

But it wasn't all fascinating. The story, set in the Yucatan of 682 AD, of how B'alaj Chan K'awiil disguised himself as the god Ik' Sip to overthrow and kill his brother, Nuun Ujol Chaak, only to be the target of a coup… I pretty much forgot that immediately upon reading. As another quibble, Mann quotes the leftist loon Ward Churchill in support of a couple points; I wouldn't trust Churchill to get the color of the sky right, if it conflicted with his rabid anti-American theology.


Last Modified 2024-01-28 2:30 PM EDT

Wagon Master

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A 1950 John Ford western (missing John Wayne); the Netflix algorithm thought I'd like it more than I did.

Ben Johnson and Harry Carey Jr. play Travis and Sandy, respectively, who are trying to eke out a semi-honest living as horse traders in the Frontier West. By coincidence, they meet up with a group of Mormons, en route in covered wagons to lush valley land they want to farm. Travis and Sandy get hired to guide the wagons through perils both natural (deserts, rivers, mountains) and anthropogenetic (Indians, a murderous gang of outlaws, a stranded performing troupe selling quack medicine). Interactions between all these colorful characters are often played for laughs, occasionally successfully. The soundtrack has a number of songs performed by the Sons of the Pioneers, but nothing memorable.

Trivia: John Ford recycled a number of actors from The Grapes of Wrath here: Both Pa Joad and Ma Joad are in this, playing older Mormons on the trek. And Ward Bond, who played a cop in The Grapes of Wrath is one of the Mormon elders.

Also, James Arness plays one of the gang, a speechless goon. Not at all what you expect from Marshall Dillon.


Last Modified 2024-01-28 2:30 PM EDT