Man's Rise to Civilization: The Cultural Ascent of the Indians of North America by Peter FarbMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Ostensible a popular work of anthropology covering the arc of cultural development among North America's aboriginal peoples, I found this a deeper, more enlightening, and even more ambition work. Generally, the historical analysis of the varied peoples from Inuit to Aztec suggests the diverse and varied peoples of N.A. survived through a combination of moieties and exogamy in band/tribal scenarios that fostered strength through cooperation and diversity.
Some interesting things were compelling indictments of the scholarship of Patterns of Culture, further eroding my believe in the simplistic Apollonian-Dionysian model.
I found the analysis of Cortes vs. the Aztecs also interesting - the hated and cruel Aztec empire tottering under intrigue, fear, and loathsome human sacrifice collapsed under the weight of smallpox and a lack of central authority.
Generally the history of the decline of this most genetically homogenous of races (undercutting many racial purity arguments) into phases such as nativism and religious fanaticism to too-late violence resulting in accomodation and evaporation can be painful and important lessons from the human experience.
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