Here's the gist of author Charles C. Mann's recent lecture at Emory University in Atlanta. Mann was in town promoting his latest book, 1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created, which is a followup from his much-acclaimed 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus.
Where & When: Held at the Reception Hall, William Carlos Museum on Emory's campus on December 7, 2011.
Attendance: I'd estimate ~125 people with only about 20 Emory Students.
Why I Went: I've been a real slacker lately when it comes to attending local book events (guilt). Moreover, last summer Mark Burell, the manager at the Carlos Musuem Book Shop, gave me the heads up about Mann and he highly recommended 1491.
What He Read Aloud: Nothing. Instead Mann lectured for about 45 minutes touching on, what I assume, are the highlights of his new book. Accompanying the lecture were gorgeous slides with illuminating infographics about how plants, diseases, and foods (especially the sweet potato) were exchanged back and forth from the New World to Europe, Africa and China. This explains the significance of Mann's quip about the alternative title for his book: “Ha-ha, Tom Friedman. The World Has Been Flat for 400 Years.”
His Q & A: Most people had their questions answered in the fifteen minute Q & A period. Mann knows what he knows, but he isn't afraid to admit that he is not an expert in everything. Mann also gives complete answers, but doesn't get bogged down with long explanations ( more time for more questions). The audience asked intelligent questions as well.
Did I Buy Something? Yes, a trade paperback of 1491, but I had no interest in waiting in the long line to have the book signed.
Worth Mentioning. In a short period of time I learned a lot of things: How the Chinese grow three-quarters of the world's sweet potatoes and how it contributes to their constant flooding in China. I learned about the silver mines of Potosi, that the Mason-Dixon line really should be named the Malaria-Dixon line and the days for invasive kudzu are numbered. I can't explain all this, but if you attended Mann's fine lecture you would know.
You can re-create the Charles Mann experience by purchasing one of the several signed copies of 1493 that the Carlos Museum Book Shop has available. You can check ahead for book availability by calling 404-727-0529.
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