The Columbian Exchange: Biological and Cultural Consequences of 1492 (Alfred W. Crosby)

"The Columbian Exchange," by Alfred W. Crosby, describes the widespread transfer of plants, animals, cultures, and diseases between Europe and the Americas starting in 1492. This exchange profoundly changed ecosystems, diets, and populations, introducing new crops like potatoes and maize to Europe and European livestock to the Americas. However, it also brought devastating diseases such as smallpox to Indigenous peoples, causing massive population declines. The book highlights how these biological and cultural exchanges reshaped societies worldwide, creating both opportunities — like diverse foods — and challenges, such as the impact of invasive species and deadly epidemics.