Clash of Cultures

Clash of Cultures, Second Edition, is a captivating exploration of the Age of Discovery, when Western civilization first came into contact - and conflict - with all the other peoples of the world. Internationally known archeologist Brian Fagan draws on original sources and scholarly writing from dozens of academic disciplines to chart the tragic effects of first contact, illuminating the resulting racism, ethnocentrism, and ever-growing chasm between industrial nations and traditional societies. This seminal book includes case studies covering a wide variety of societies, including the Khoikhoi of South Africa, the Aztecs of Mexico, and the Tahitians. Special attention is paid to the Hurons of Canada, the natives of the American Northwest, and the Tasmanians and Maori of New Zealand. The second edition includes a new introduction, chapters on early Japan and the effects of epidemic disease, and a revised guide to further reading.
Clash of Cultures is an ideal text for students studying the background of the modern world.

Brian Fagan is professor of anthropology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a well-known writer and lecturer on archaeology. He has written several widely used textbooks, and a number of popular books.