Reviews

They Came Before Columbus by Ivan Van Sertima

glecharles's review against another edition

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challenging medium-paced

3.0

A compelling argument that, while being an engrossing read, uses loose citations and heavy-handed speculation to make its case — as one might expect from an enthusiastic graduate student. I'd love to read a more recent assessment of his evidence because the core of his thesis seems plausible.

callieisreading's review against another edition

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4.0

A little dry at times and could really use an updated section talking about where this research has gone since the book was first published, but overall an insightful and thought-provoking read.

jen_bee77's review against another edition

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Read in college. Very eye opening and informative book that inspires you to read and learn more. Waiting for the day our educational system stops lying about and watering down history.

ninnao's review against another edition

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5.0

Mindblowing.

Definitivamente vale la pena darle una ojeada a muchas de sus hipótesis.

Adicionalmente invita leer a otros historiadores y antropólogos que han estudiado a las civilizaciones americanas.

No me cabe duda que otros llegaron a América antes que Cristobal Colón.

casandra_lovealwaysbooks's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective slow-paced

3.75

Simply because of pacing. Honestly I would have rated this higher if some of the fluffy language was taken out, the overly academic language was simplified more, and if the book was about 75-100 pages shorter. 
The content was captivating at most points. I got confused when some dramatizations were included, simply because I didn’t see the need for them. 
I would recommend this book, just keep in mind that it’s not going to be fully exciting the whole way throughout. 

shiradest's review against another edition

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5.0

This book is a resource that should be on every shelf in every school and public library in the USA. I am still shocked that we were not given any of the details on the kings of Mali nor of the Nubian rulers and population of Egypt, with the many excellent sources to back this all up, which are well-detailed in this book. Thank you so much to the author for a much needed and very belated corrective not only to the historical record, but to race relations.

Read, Write, Dream, Walk !


#PublicDomainInfrastructure
ShiraDest


March 9th, 12018 HE



eastside's review against another edition

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informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

alaa_ilikecats's review against another edition

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While it is an interesting subject, they way this book is structured/the authors voice is kinda boring, I will learn about this subject elsewhere, my not finishing this is simply personal preference 

jeynh's review against another edition

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informative reflective

4.0

rjtifft's review against another edition

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4.0

This is a compelling, if somewhat dated, argument. I was convinced by some arguments more than others, but as a whole this book is effective at challenging Eurocentric narratives about the development of pre-Columbia’s American societies. Some of the author’s claims have since been disproven or convincingly challenged, so it is also helpful to do additional research/reading as you go through.