The Discovery of Mankind: Atlantic Encounters in the Age of Columbus

The Discovery of Mankind by David Abulafia is a groundbreaking book that sheds light on the complex social dynamics between European explorers and indigenous peoples during the Age of Columbus.

Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Abulafia challenges the traditional narrative of European conquest and reveals the tragic consequences of violent exploitation. The book delves into the motivations and tensions of early transactions between Europeans and native inhabitants, highlighting the rapid transformation of wonder to vicious exploitation.

Abulafia's masterful study reorients our understanding of this pivotal period in history, placing the European "discovery" of the Americas into an Atlantic context where it belongs. With equal skills as scholar and storyteller, Abulafia offers a learned account of the emergence of new European anthropologies that sought to transform radically alien others into familiarly pliant Christian laborers.

The book is extensively researched, painstakingly argued, and constantly true to the words of the explorers themselves. Whether you're a specialist or a nonspecialist, this book will appeal to anyone interested in voyages of discovery, intellectual history, and ways cultures react to one another.

The Discovery of Mankind is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of human nature and the tragic consequences of European conquest across the world.