Courtesy of Knopf Doubleday

This week’s most anticipated book releases take readers back in time. First, Charles C. Mann discusses the biological aftermath of an inadvertent discovery by recounting the effects of Columbus’ discovery of the Americas on such things as animal habitats, agriculture and disease. Meanwhile, W.E.B. Griffin tells the little-known tale of the espionage war that was waged long after the German surrender in World War II.

1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created
Author: Charles C. Mann
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday, Aug. 9
List Price: $30.50, hardcover
Buy it here

Victory and Honor
Author: W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV
Publisher: Penguin, Aug. 9
List Price: $26.95, hardcover
Buy it here

SKYJACK: The Hunt for D.B. Cooper
Author: Geoffrey Gray
Publisher: Crown, Aug. 9
List Price: $25, hardcover
Buy it here

Acceptable Loss
Author: Anne Perry
Publisher: Random House, Aug. 9
List Price: $26, hardcover
Buy it here

The Accident
Author: Linwood Barclay
Publisher: Random House, Aug. 9
List Price: $25, hardcover
Buy it here