Born to Die: Disease and New World Conquest, 1492-1650. (Reviews).

Noble David Cook, Born to Die: Disease and New World Conquest, 1492-1650 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998), pp. xiii+248, [pounds sterling]30.00, [pounds sterling]10.95 pb; $54.95, $15.95 pb.

The debate on the causes of the decline of the Amerindian populations following European contact involves three levels of controversy. The first concerns the size of the indigenous population in 1492; the second the speed, duration and the geographical pattern of the decline; the third the factors responsible for it. The three levels are interdependent and no one can be discussed in isolation from the other two. Although Cook's stated aim is 'to bring together in a succinct volume what is currently known about epidemic disease, especially as it relates to the Conquest of Spanish America' (p. 12), he is conscious that his analysis may have a profound impact at all levels of the debate. Broad agreement exists on two issues: contact has generally been followed by a long and pronounced demographic recession and high …