Civilizations (Review)

Civilizations (Review)

‘ll admit to not having a solid grasp of European history from the time before, during and after the voyage of Columbus. There was a lot going on in history including the various wars, Spain’s growing domination, the pressure from the Barbary raiders and the eastern frontiers, even Martin Luther hammering his demands to his door. Let’s face it, there is so much history and it is difficult to review (and remember) it all.

But I’ll admit to liking Laurent Binet’s Civilizations.

Actually, this one always followed a line of pondering of mine – what if the sweeping infestations of Europeans and their whole Guns, Germs and Steel thing were reversed? What if the Aztecs and Incas were better prepared, better inoculated, and less passively lead? What if Columbus had been a flash in the pan, a scouting mission that vanished from the face of the either, that nipped the age of discovery in its but, leaving the mesoamericans curious about were those rude but curious men had come from?

Well, now we know.

So earlier (and more extensive) Viking contact brings the diseases of the old world to the new, along with metalworking skills and even the god Thor. These “new” mesoamericans are stronger, more decisive, and less prone to accept the shit from pompous Christian gold-seekers. What happens is an invasion in reverse, a sweeping migration that places Incas in charge of Spain, the introduction of more permissive religions and the end of the Inquisition, the end of the world we knew and the start of something different. Yes, it was interesting and enlightening and enjoyable.

Translated from French, it was a book for any historian to enjoy. Really, a wonderful used bookstore find.

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