America Magica

When Renaissance Europe Thought it had Conquered Paradise

By (author) Jean-Marc De Beer, Jorge Magasich-Airola Foreword by David Abulafia

Publication date:

01 July 2007

Publisher

Anthem Press

Dimensions:

216x135mm
5x9"

ISBN-13: 9781843312925

An enthralling account of the conflicting experiences of discovering the New World, drawing upon the intriguing tales of early discovery and amazing illustrations of the day. The authors invoke the unique exhilaration of exploration, investigating the conflict between the ambitious idealism and harsh realities that have always characterized and torn the country. After all, did people not go to America in search of both the Garden of Eden and the tribes of the damned?

Foreword by David Abulafia; Preface; Introduction; In Search of the Earthly Paradise; On the Threshold of Paradise; King Solomon’s Mines in America; The Realms of Gold; The Indomitable Amazons; The Legendary Isles of the Ocean Sea; Wondrous Creatures; The Patagonian Giants; Epilogue; Notes; References; Index

'This succinct book offers a useful synthesis of information concerning the ways Europeans imagined the new lands and peoples they encountered…the way the material is assembled, and the lucidity with which the authors summarise their sources makes this an engaging and perceptive study. A particular feature pf the book is the inclusion of striking black and white illustrations which pepper its pages, providing a helpful counterpart to the narrative… A well-structured and enjoyable read.' —Claire Jowitt, Nottingham-Trent University