House of Rain: Tracking a Vanished Civilization Across the American Southwest

Written by:
Craig Childs
Narrated by:
Craig Childs

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
1
Narrator
1
Release Date
September 2018
Duration
15 hours 23 minutes
Summary
A "beautifully written travelogue" that draws on the latest scholarly research as well as a lifetime of exploration to light on the extraordinary Anasazi culture of the American Southwest (Entertainment Weekly). 

The greatest "unsolved mystery" of the American Southwest is the fate of the Anasazi, the native peoples who in the eleventh century converged on Chaco Canyon (in today's southwestern New Mexico) and built what has been called the Las Vegas of its day, a flourishing cultural center that attracted pilgrims from far and wide, a vital crossroads of the prehistoric world. The Anasazis' accomplishments -- in agriculture, in art, in commerce, in architecture, and in engineering -- were astounding, rivaling those of the Mayans in distant Central America.

By the thirteenth century, however, the Anasazi were gone from Chaco. Vanished. What was it that brought about the rapid collapse of their civilization? Was it drought? pestilence? war? forced migration? mass murder or suicide? For many years conflicting theories have abounded. Craig Childs draws on the latest scholarly research, as well as on a lifetime of adventure and exploration in the most forbidding landscapes of the American Southwest, to shed new light on this compelling mystery.
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Geri P.

What a wonderful introduction to these ancient native people and the fascinating civilization that once was! Craig Childs did an amazing job researching this. Any student of American history should read this. The book left me with a much greater understanding of our country's prehistoric history and a yearning to learn more. The writing is raw and beautiful. Slightly reminiscent of John Muir's writings in its reverence to the natural world. It stimulates all the senses. I felt transported to the places and to another time. Felt like I was along for the journey and my God, what a wild ride it was! Well done! Definitely buying a hardcover copy of this book and adding it to my library.

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