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The Darker Side of the Renaissance: Literacy, Territoriality, and Colonization

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Dr. Mignolo's thesis in this book is that there is another side to the Renaissance that actually stole and destroyed knowledge. He focuses on Latin America and the destruction of the knowledge production of the people there by the Spanish. He does expand out and look at knowledge produced by people in the Middle East, China and Africa as well. His use of primary sources is remarkable, citing them in full in their original language and then in an english translations. The collection of historical maps which demonstrates the knowledge of the world by the people who produced the map, is the best I have ever seen.

This book is a wonderful work that creates a new interpretation of Renaissance without de-tracking its actual accomplishments. I am amazed at the quality of this book and the amount of written knowledge and the added artistic pictures and period maps is unprecedented in any work that i have ever read. This is a must read for anyone that wants to expand their knowledge of the history of the Renaissance, Colonial powers and those who are Colonized and why. Definitely a powerful work that deserves to be read.