Customer Reviews

The Tainos: Rise and Decline of the People Who Greeted Columbus

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

There were so many things of the Taino Indians I didn't know about and this book gives such a wonderful view of their lives and heritage you think they were your neighbors next door! This book makes you realize how important it is to keep your heritage alive.

When writting this book, Dr. Rouse put a lifetime of research and studies on the Indians of the Caribbean into one work.
Since Rouse is considered the "Dean of Caribbean Archaeology", this book is a "must have" for anyone interested in the region and its native inhabitants.
Very few people have worked for so long, in so many locations and with such dedication as Dr. Rouse.

Irving Rouse, nos presenta un libro muy completo y bien investigado sobre el tema taino. Todos aquellos estudiosos que quieran aprender sobre esta etnia, la etnia amerindia que tuvo el primer fatal encuentro con Cristobal Colon , debe leer este libro.Este libro es la Biblia sobre el tema taino.

Very interesting and informative book on Tainos. As a Puerto Rican, I was curious to know more about the Taino who inhabited the island before Columbus' arrival. It's obvious the author has spent much time thoroughly researching the issue on Tainos. However, although the title of the book leads one to believe the main focus is on the Taino themselves, a lot of the book is spent theorizing and hypothesizing about the Tainos' Caribbean ancestors and predecessors with explanations of pottery works and other items found in archeological digs. I was expecting something different, such as a more detailed account of day-to-day Taino social norms, culture and history. Some of that information is included in the book, but not as much as I would have liked, and I suspect not much is known about it anyway. Even so, it was still very interesting and am glad to include this book as an addition to my personal little library at home.

I bought this book because my new daughter-in-law is part Arawak Indian and I wanted to educate myself as well as embrace my new grandchild's heritage. The Arawaks were the Tainos. This book is very informative on the Tainos, including precise location. Very well written from beginning to end. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

This book is great. Very informative and well written. I learned a great deal about my cultue, heritage and ancestry. It left me with a thirst for more.

As a Puerto Rican looking to learn more about my heritage (pre-European) this book was FANTASTIC!

This book is quite outdated. It still seem to think that Tainos became extinct. After testing the DNA of hundreds of Puerto Ricans, it was discovered that the reports of extinction were highly (very) exagerated. Not a surprise for those of us who knew better. Still there is some information that is still valid, just don't swear by it.

This is a very well researched book that will tell you everything that is known about the Tainos. My only complaint with the book is that it told me more than I ever wanted to know. I really was only looking for some information about who the Tainos were and how they lived before heading to Puerto Rico on vacation. This book is much more detailed and analytical. It's great if you're really, really interested in knowing all the details but it is not by any means "an easy read." If you're looking for a "beach read" this probably isn't it-- unless you have a Phd focused on ancient cultures.