Jan 26, 2016 | 416 Pages | Young Adult
“In this sweeping world history, Mann chronicles the spread of globalization, examining the mingling of the world’s ecosystems through travel, trade, colonization, conquest, and migration, from its beginnings in the 15th century to its continued impact in the present day. Adapted by Stefoff for teen audiences, this riveting account shows how the complex, interconnected economic and environmental consequences of the European “discovery” of the Americas shaped many unexpected aspects of the modern world. The collision of unfamiliar flora, fauna, and microbes produced unforeseen wealth, conflict, exploitation, disease, misery, and social upheaval. Mann examines such fascinating subjects as the connections between malaria and slavery, how silver mined in Bolivia funded economic development in rural China and wars waged by the Spanish empire, how the rubber plant enabled industrialization, and how the potato plant fed millions of Europe’s poor for centuries and then caused the deaths of millions. All of these fascinating stories are woven together in a clear, compelling narrative. The complex subject matter is impressively handled with deftness and wit. A provocative, gripping account. (photos, maps, timeline, glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)” —Kirkus Reviews
“A fascinating story of how our modern world came to be. Globalization isn’t the recent phenomenon we thought—follow the breadcrumb trail of something as innocent as a potato and discover how it led to colossal change worldwide. Watch with horror the domino effect caused by greed for silver, and find out how something as tiny as a mosquito changed the world. A captivating mosaic of game changers that shaped modernity.”—Jill Rubalcaba, author of Every Bone Tells a Story, Finalist for the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
“An engrossing history of almost everything—ecology, botany, politics, economics, disease, and anthropology—since Columbus’s arrival in and departure from the Americas, 1493 for Young People will inform and engage its audience. Charles C. Mann’s original acclaimed work has been ably and entertainingly reduced for younger readers, who will appreciate his mind- and world-expanding ideas and knowledge.”—Cynthia Levinson, author of We’ve Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children’s March, Winner of the IRA Young Adult Nonfiction Award
“This is a book of big ideas and grand movements in human history, told through engaging stories about explorers, mountains of silver, deadly mosquitoes, and much more.”—Steve Sheinkin, author of Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, a Newberry Honor Book and Winner of the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
