Report for , The American Promise: A History of the United States - Book Report/Review Example

The historical perspective that led up to my topic: Archaeological history ‘shown’ in the first chapter of the book “Ancient America Before 1492,” is fascinating. I have deliberately used the word ‘shown’ because an archaeologist builds his history on the basis of physical objects for evidence. Such objects take us back to the era, in which people lived, mostly in harmony with nature. It is just like watching a live telecast of a particular event. Archaeologists in tandem with the evidence secured by the historians can provide us a tell-tale account of the life of the people before the 14th century in America. James L. Roark et.

al write, “But by careful study of rare ancient artifacts that have survived and been discovered, archeologists have pieced together an account of the long, complex history of ancient Americans.”(p.4) By learning and understanding this history, one comes to the conclusion that it was not Columbus who discovered America. Archeological discoveries opened a new vista, and provided unassailable evidence about the real Americans, where did they arrive from, before Columbus’s landing in. Thus, the archaeologists have filled in the gaps in our knowledge about America.

Besides, the word ‘ancient’ fascinates and I have a passion to know about the ancient heritage of many countries, and America tops the list. The summarization of the topic: With due regard for the adventurous sea journey of Columbus that brought him to the shores of America, it is the historical fact that he did not discover America. His journey and the information that he transmitted back to Britain, opened up a new chapter in the process of exploitation of the native Indians, by the white race of European countries, especially from England, France and Spain.

The discovery of physical artifacts is vital to understand the history of the era, because the native people did not produce any written records, as writing is relatively a recent invention. So, to know the reality about the people from their anonymity, their lifestyles archeologists have made scientific efforts on the basis of the discoveries. They have made efforts to climb up the historical ladder step by step. So, the first ones to arrive in the western part America was from Asia. Their main concern was acquiring food for existence and their hunting skills were their asset.

They had crude weapons and knew the tool making techniques. They reached the western part, not by choice, but by accident, to acquire food and other sources of livelihood. The important factors that brought the people of Asian and African origin to America are the climatic changes, which created a giant land bridge called Beringia, across the Bering Strait, which established connection between Asian Siberia with American Alaska. A big chunk of humankind adapted to the colder climate and entered the Western Hemisphere, in search of food and shelter.

This process of migration revolutionized the history of America. The archeological, physical and linguistic evidence lent credence to the theory that they were certainly of Asian descent. In the process of building their lives the Indian Hunters were creating the early American history. Due to compulsion of the geographical circumstances they encountered, they turned nomadic hunters and used stone tipped spears in pursuit of giant mammals.