Hit the wrong button. You are correct 1491 is not Menzies' book. In  
fact it is recommended by the Smithsonian on their web site as a good  
source on NA native populations. SOme of the population figures are  
not accepted by all, but measuring the prehistoric population of  
anywhere is iffy.

As for what is taught school children... There is a lot of over  
simplification and some teachers just don't know what they are talking  
about. I taught middle school for the last two years and heard a  
number of just wrong things being taught.

On Oct 22, 2008, at 9:30 AM, David Kiracofe wrote:

> I think you are confusing Gavin Menzies' 1421 (on the legendary  
> voyages of Zheng He) withe 1491 book Ms. Pemberton listed.   I've  
> read the first (1421) and agree it is pretty wild speculation, but  
> have not looked at 1491 so I will reserve judgment there.
>
> I do think Columbus though is a problematic character -- presentist  
> critiques aside.  I've always thought it was strange that school  
> children are taught that Columbus wanted to prove the world was  
> round -- when no one who gave any consideration to the shape of the  
> world had any doubts on that by 1492.  Why do we try to present  
> Columbus as something he was not?  Isn't the real story of the  
> bravery -- as you note -- enough?  Just wondering.
>
> David Kiracofe
>
> David Kiracofe
> History
> Tidewater Community College
> Chesapeake Campus
> 1428 Cedar Road
> Chesapeake, Virginia 23322
> 757-822-5136

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