That book and the entire series are full on revisionist propaganda.

Basically it misleads by suggesting that the actions of one or two tribes in small geographic areas are representative of tribes all across the Americas. It does this not just with ideas of fire management, but also agriculture, animal husbandy, trade, governance, etc etc

The America's had some great civilizations like the Mayans and Incas that almost certainly did all of that as per 1491, but the vast majority of tribes were "basically cavemen that lived in shitty tents" especially as you move north - Northern US, Canada, Alaska, the arctic circle.

I can assure you there was no "forest management" occurring in January at -50F when the sun hadn't risen in 90 days in some igloo north of the arctic circle. What there was, was a sac full of fermented seal blubber that you ate raw to get enough calories to survive the winter without canibalizing your slaves. Six people huddled together in about 15 sq ft snow cave with a seal blubber oil candle to keep warm.

Even in temperate climates like Seattle & Vancouver it was not pretty. I suggest reading John Jewitt's journal's for a more balanced perspective than 1491.

That book and the entire series are full on revisionist propaganda.

Basically it misleads by suggesting that the actions of one or two tribes in small geographic areas are representative of tribes all across the Americas. It does this not just with ideas of fire management, but also agriculture, animal husbandy, trade, governance, etc etc

The America's had some great civilizations like the Mayans and Incas that almost certainly did all of that as per 1491, but the vast majority of tribes were "basically cavemen that lived in shitty tents" especially as you move north - Northern US, Canada, Alaska, the arctic circle.

I can assure you there was no "forest management" occurring in January at -50F when the sun hadn't risen in 90 days in some igloo north of the arctic circle. What there was, was a sac full of fermented seal blubber that you ate raw to get enough calories to survive the winter without canibalizing your slaves. Six people huddled together in about 15 sq ft with a seal blubber oil candle to keep warm.

Even in temperate climates like Seattle & Vancouver it was not pretty. I suggest reading John Jewitt's journal's for a more balanced perspective than 1491.

That book and the entire series are full on revisionist propaganda.

Basically it misleads by suggesting that the actions of one or two tribes in small geographic areas are representative of tribes all across the Americas. It does this not just with ideas of fire management, but also agriculture, animal husbandy, trade, governance, etc etc

The America's had some great civilizations like the Mayans and Incas that almost certainly did all of that as per 1491, but the vast majority of tribes were "basically cavemen that lived in shitty tents" especially as you move north - Canada, Alaska, the arctic circle.

I can assure you there was no "forest management" occurring in January at -50F when the sun hadn't risen in 90 days in some igloo north of the arctic circle. What there was, was a sac full of fermented seal blubber that you ate raw in your igloo to get enough calories to survive the winter without canibalizing your slaves. Six people huddled together in about 15 sq ft with a seal blubber candle to keep warm.

Even in temperate climates like Seattle & Vancouver it was not pretty. I suggest reading John Jewitt's journal's for a more balanced perspective than 1491.

That book and the entire series are full on revisionist propaganda.

Basically it misleads by suggesting that the actions of one or two tribes in small geographic areas are representative of tribes all across the Americas. It does this not just with ideas of fire management, but also agriculture, animal husbandy, trade, governance, etc etc

The America's had some great civilizations like the Mayans and Incas that almost certainly did all of that as per 1491, but the vast majority of tribes were "basically cavemen that lived in shitty tents" especially as you move north - Canada, Alaska, the arctic circle.

I can assure you there was no "forest management" occurring in January at -50F when the sun hadn't risen in 90 days in some igloo north of the arctic circle. What there was, was a sac full of fermented seal blubber that you ate in your igloo to get enough calories to survive the winter without canibalizing your slaves.

Even in temperate climates like Seattle & Vancouver it was not pretty. I suggest reading John Jewitt's journal's for a more balanced perspective than 1491.