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The African Presence (They came before Columbus)

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The African Presence (They came before Columbus) (Hardcover)

by Ivan Van Sertima (Author)

3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

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Product details

Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Random House USA Inc (31 Dec 1977)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0394402456
ISBN-13: 978-0394402451
Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 16 x 2.8 cm

Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 791,518 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Review

"Fascinating."
"--The Atlantic Monthly"
"An immensely impressive book . . . well-written and clear."
"--Essence"
"I can't praise this book enough! I kept shaking my head over its power."
"--Ishmael Reed"
"Comprehensive and convincing . . . a big boost to black cultural history."
"--Publishers Weekly
"

"From the Trade Paperback edition."

Synopsis

Explorers' diaries and journals, carbon-14-dated sculptures, Arab documents and maps, and dated skeletons provide evidence for the pre-Columbia n presence in the Americas of black men and their influence on the Olmec, Mayan , and Aztec civilizations.

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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(4)

Average Customer Review

3.9 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars highly recommendable, 1 Nov 2003

By	mark ayers "mark__" (england) - See all my reviews

This review is from: They Came Before Columbus (Paperback)

I loved this book. I bought it mainly to read the evidence of the crossing by sailors from mali. this incredible expidition consisted of hundreds of boats. Other commentators dismissed this as mere drifting a ross the atlantic other by primitive people. The fact is that at the time, the Mali capital timbuktu was famed throughout the world, not just for the gold the fueled teh worlds trade but also for its fine University. not only did aFricans cross the atlanticthe geogrphical knowledge of their society was certainly in advance of 15th centiry Spains.
The chapters on ancient Egypt are fascinating too. The existence of huge statue of negro faces seems pretty good evidence that they too crossed. Plant diffusion, linguistic evidence and the similarity of the pyramids also add to a case which Sertima himself admits is not cast iron but points out the fact that it is more likely than alternative explanation like the American Pyramids were built bt aliens. Some people it seems would rather believe this than give Africans any credit for any inputinto the history of humanity.

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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent tell all that dispells the myth of Columbus., 13 Dec 1998

By A Customer

This book should be text book material for young readers as well as accomplished historians. I didn't get to read it until I was in graduate school and it made me excited and eager to learn more about the untold truth of my African Ancestors. When I find a copy of this book it will be required reading for my children.

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16 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Work., 13 Jun 1999

By A Customer

This is a very well written book. As a Mexican, my people (mestizo, Indian, or white) owe more to the Spanish than any other culture. However, we also owe to our Indian ancestors. After reading Mr. Van Sertima's text, there is very little cause for going against his argument. Now, I'm not saying that Africans developed this continent, but surely they contributed their fair share into this true melting pot we call the Americas.

And also, I think people shouldn't dismiss the advances made by the ancient Africans. Credit should be given where it's deserved, but I think that the author can do a better job at this. The FACTS that he presents are well organized and usually very detailed. If one feels that he is not presenting something with accuracy, he or she can always look up each subject independently and see that he is right.

This book should go down in history as a classic. This, I believe, is the tip of the iceberg on the subject of African exploration in ancient times. There is so much we don't know, and the thought of future developments on this is very exciting.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Well researched and well written account of little known African achievements in history
This book sets out to present a comprehensive account, based on all known facts, of the links between Africa and America in pre-Columbian times. Read more

Published 17 months ago by D. E. Chukwumerije

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ma'at
This clear and well researched enlightening book.Is both
for the layman and scholar, researching or interested in the
true historical representation of African peoples... Read more

Published on 9 Mar 2006

1.0 out of 5 stars Good example of wild Afrocentrism
If Africans were ocean-going explorers, how come they never discovered and settled islands off the coast of Africa - doh! Read more

Published on 6 Sep 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Splendid attempt at the truth by a truth seeker.
The people professionally engaged in discovering the truth are those, psychologically, least capable of accepting the truth if it happens to contradict what they already believe... Read more

Published on 4 Jul 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Splendid attempt at the truth by a truth seeker.
The people professionally engaged in discovering the truth are those, psychologically least capable of accepting the truth if it happens to contradict what they already believe... Read more

Published on 4 Jul 1999

1.0 out of 5 stars Vicious attack
If I was a native American, I'd be *really* upset by this book and its essential attack on their history. Read more

Published on 17 Jun 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Excelent
Now the truth of the African peoples is being told. Contrary to popular belief, civilization and technology was not invented by the Europians. Read more

Published on 1 Jun 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE!
It is not surprising that the evidence pointing toward an African influence in North America was for so long irretrievable by those who would aspire to know more of the truth... Read more

Published on 5 May 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Sometimes The Truth Is Hard To Swallow
The only thing that I find funny is the "review" given by the silly small-minded idiot that submitted a foolish statement on March 10,1999. Read more

Published on 16 April 1999

1.0 out of 5 stars Tell Lies Long Enough
In The Red and Black, eminent historian Eugene Genovese (also the author of Roll, Jordon, Roll) noted that it was never in the interests of that which is correct to condone lies... Read more

Published on 14 April 1999

› See all 15 customer reviews...

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