In Case You are Behind on the Assigned Reading....

Interview with author: http://www.danielbbotkin.com/2013/01/13/renegade-naturalist-radio-5-interview-with-charles-c-mann-bestselling-author-of-1491-and-1493/

That being, the required reading of Charles Mann's two books; 1491 and 1493, A Long Now lecture hitting some of the highlights of 1493:
http://fora.tv/2012/04/23/Charles_C_Mann_Living_in_the_Homogenocene#/2012/04/23/Charles_C_Mann_Living_in_the_Homogenocene?&_suid=1371562375724006566275420832213