This in-depth account of the Indian cultures of the American continent of 1492 will be a timely choice for the coming quincentennial celebration of Columbus's discovery of America. Salmoral presents a well-organized, thoroughly researched description of the Inca, Aztec, and Mayan societies of Latin America, and also of the native cultures of the U. S. Southwest. Catchy, appealing headlines for each topic, a lively style of writing, and thousands of illustrations make this comprehensive work attractive. Birth, funeral customs, sports, medicine, everyday eating customs, music, use of stimulants, and the roles of children, men, and women are all explored and illustrated with photographs of authentic items and drawings taken from museums and libraries around the world, including reproductions from original 16th-century drawings carried back to Spain to report on life in the New World. The scientific, artistic, and architectural achievements of these cultures contrasted with their often rigid social structures make for a fascinating story of how and why cultures are formed, changed, and destroyed. As this book encompasses all of the American Indian cultures, it is an excellent research source for broad cultural studies.