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Who Was First?: Discovering the Americas Audiobook
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(3.16) - 118 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Historians still agree about the date of Columbus’s voyage. But did this European adventurer discover America? We now know that certain explorers from other parts of the globe set foot on American shores long before 1492–and that others may have done so. And “discovery” takes on a different meaning when the new land already has people living in it. As artifacts are unearthed and analyzed, the story of human presence in the Americas continues to unfold. Looking deeper and deeper into the past, acclaimed nonfiction writer Russell Freedman tells this evolving story, touching on such evidence as Viking runes, Chinese legends, Mayan stonework, and mysterious objects found in New England. Thoroughly researched and impeccably documented, Who Was First? is a compelling account of many discoverers of the Americas.
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"Freedman excels again. A fascinating look at the three most popular theories of who discovered America -- Columbus, the Chinese, Lief Erickson, followed by an examination of the most current archaeological research about early humans on the continent and how they (the real discoverers) came here."
— Nancee (5 out of 5 stars)
Who Was First? Listener Reviews
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" A short history of the different cultures that "discovered America" "
— Cheryl, 1/18/2014 -
" This is a nicely illustrated and researched book that describes the voyages of Columbus and other people who arrived in the Americas before him, or who may have. Entertaining and enjoyable, but from Freedman I wanted a little more to tie the chapters together. "
— Emily, 1/3/2014 -
" Audio book : Very good, informative, fun and short. The last chapter of the audio was not as good as the other 2/3 but over all I had fun with this one. "
— Craig, 11/1/2013 -
" This book discovers who really discovered the americas "
— Ginny, 8/6/2013 -
" This was one of the books I read while doing research on the history of New England (and America in general.) The book is well written and is fully illustrated. Its target audience is young adults but I still found the book fascinating. "
— Christopher, 2/21/2013 -
" I learned a lot of facts I didn't know, but I think it was almost too much to take in on audio. I would like to reread it in print. "
— Joan, 4/14/2012 -
" A chapter on European, Asian, Norseman and their explorations; as well as a chapter on Native Americans (north and south America). All views and versions are represented allowing the reader to question and come to conclusions. Great pictures and maps. "
— Carolyn, 12/15/2011 -
" LJ Ganser is my new favorite narrator. I loved his voice in this non-fiction explorers tale, though at times my mind strayed away from the details... "
— Erin, 11/29/2011 -
" Well-written. Informative. A nice review of America's different discoveries. Great for ages 12 and up. "
— Angie, 10/22/2011 -
" A good update to my dated knowledge of the beginnings of the Americas and summary of current(ish) research. Covers 50,000 years ago to Columbus in a very quick read. "
— Rebecca, 8/11/2011 -
" You just can't go wrong with Russell Freedman! This book summarizes current findings on how the Americas were discovered and peopled. I found it highly interesting and leaving me wanting to read more. "
— Krista, 4/8/2011 -
" Audio book : Very good, informative, fun and short. The last chapter of the audio was not as good as the other 2/3 but over all I had fun with this one. "
— Craig, 11/1/2010 -
" Well-written. Informative. A nice review of America's different discoveries. Great for ages 12 and up. "
— Angie, 11/23/2009 -
" This was one of the books I read while doing research on the history of New England (and America in general.) The book is well written and is fully illustrated. Its target audience is young adults but I still found the book fascinating. "
— Christopher, 9/3/2009 -
" A chapter on European, Asian, Norseman and their explorations; as well as a chapter on Native Americans (north and south America). All views and versions are represented allowing the reader to question and come to conclusions. Great pictures and maps. "
— Carolyn, 8/6/2009 -
" This book discovers who really discovered the americas "
— Ginny, 5/31/2009 -
" I learned a lot of facts I didn't know, but I think it was almost too much to take in on audio. I would like to reread it in print. "
— Joan, 5/26/2009 -
" A short history of the different cultures that "discovered America" "
— Cheryl, 1/17/2009 -
" You just can't go wrong with Russell Freedman! This book summarizes current findings on how the Americas were discovered and peopled. I found it highly interesting and leaving me wanting to read more. "
— Krista, 4/13/2008 -
" This is a nicely illustrated and researched book that describes the voyages of Columbus and other people who arrived in the Americas before him, or who may have. Entertaining and enjoyable, but from Freedman I wanted a little more to tie the chapters together. "
— Emily, 2/14/2008
About Russell Freedman
Russell Freedman is the distinguished recipient of the Newbery Medal, several Newbery Honors, the Sibert Medal, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and the May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Award for his body of work. His many nonfiction titles include The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights and Children of the Great Depression. He travels widely to research his books but he makes his home in New York City.
About L. J. Ganser
L. J. Ganser is a multiple Audie Award–winning narrator with over six hundred titles recorded to date. Prized for versatility, his work ranges from preschool books to crime noir thrillers, from astronomical adventures in both science and science fiction, to Arctic Circle high school basketball stories. He lives in New York City with his family and dog, Mars.