A truly amazing book. It was a real treat to read history, which we were taught both in truncated form and from a purely European-American perspective, from a Native American perspective and in a form that shows the Western Hemisphere’s land struggle operating over a span of four centuries, from the “conquest of Hispaniola in 1492 to the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890.” P ix. It was also fascinating to learn about Native American leaders whose names were familiar but roles in protecting their people and fighting against colonialism were understated. I also enjoyed the balance in the book. There were certainly atrocities on each side, but 90% of the provocation came from the settlers, followed by American military engagement, both of which continually broke treaties. And where “American” atrocities were the result of greed (such as the discovery of gold) and arrogance, there was an underlayment of spirituality to both the Amerindian atrocities and their restraints.
It was also fascinating to learn that actions by rogue settlers and government, mostly implicit and based upon the excuse that the land was “terra nullius,” was made explicit by Andrew Jackson who, as President, had an explicit policy of “Indian Removal,” part of what now can be seen as a consistent historical pattern for this country.
Indian Removal
Indian Reservations, which can be characterized as “mainstream removal” (even though by time, the choice was between absolute genocide or reservation life)
Slavery, which can be characterized as “humanity removal”
Jim Crow, which can be characterized as “citizenship removal”
Urban Renewal, characterized by James Baldwin as “Negro Removal”
Mass Incarceration, which can be characterized as “black and brown community removal”
It was also striking to read about explicit White sentiment concerning the Plains and the West and how these areas were too good for Indians. This reminded me of waterfront development – Redlining – Central Park – Lincoln Center – Manhattan in general.
Surprised by the devastation of Indians by disease, but also learned and was shocked by the numbers of Indians that were sold into slavery in the Caribbean. [Native American nations also kept slaves but treated them more fairly, often adopting them into their tribes as kin.”]
My general complaint is that the text is extensively footnoted, where the author reveals the source of a conclusion. But I would have liked to have a sentence or two about the background for the conclusion as opposed to being referred to the sources, of which there are too many for me to read. Another problem I had was with the explanation of Georgia’s formation as a colony, as a Utopian colony with no slavery. But the author then talks about runaway slaves and attempts to get them back.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now
Frequently bought together
$18.48
Get it as soon as Sunday, May 19
In Stock
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Similar items that may ship from close to you
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Reviews with images
400 years of North American history from 50,000 feet above it
This is a magnificent unfolding of the last 400 years in North America from the point of view of the indigenous nations there as colonists from European countries swarmed the continent seeking new homes, wealth, and LAND. It is impossible to do this book justice in a tiny space here. I waited for the paperback edition so I could make notes and underline with less guilt, because I knew it would be dense with information.Some surprises include how routine slavery has been throughout the continent and the world. Indigenous nations regularly hunted for captives from other indigenous nations, colonists, etc. Indigenous people had European and African slaves as well. Most European settlers paid for their passages to North America by fulfilling contracts as indentured servants. Even the Puritans participated in slave trade in the late 1600s, selling into slavery in the West Indies the indigenous Americans they captured in battles.Colonial Georgia was managed initially by "the Georgia trustees, a group of London reformers and humanitarians" who intended a colony for ordinary European farmers and workers, a home for the destitute. "There were to be no wars, no dispossession of Native Americans, no slavery, no lawyers, and no hard liquor." The governor of Georgia negotiated for protection by the Muskogee Confederacy. Things did not quite work according to the founding vision.Indigenous nations formed alliances and confederacies through kinship and negotiations among themselves and with colonists.Cherokees considered an individual without kin less than a person. "Catawbas called Europeans 'Nothings,' pitiful people who lacked kin ties and did not belong." So much misunderstanding and conflict occurred throughout the early years of contact.Entering into alliances and smoking the calumet, the colonists thought they were subjecting the natives for their kings back in Europe. At the same time the indigenous people thought the colonists were agreeing to come under their protection and become loyal subjects of the native nations.From early conflict in ways of farming, to trading for weapons and tools and horses, the indigenous people and the colonists fumbled their way along. Treaties were made and broken, lines were held and moved, indigenous nations were demoted to "tribes" as English colonists prevailed against French colonists.Smallpox and other diseases decimated great numbers of indigenous people, furthering the European colonial push westward to gain territory and perhaps find a magical passage to China trade.Indigenous people fought alongside European allies against common enemies as often as against one another. And in spite of great genocidal injustices and the superior technology of colonial powers, indigenous people dominated the continent for centuries after the first European arrivals and have retained and protected their own traditions and beliefs.The interactions of indigenous nations and Europeans and Africans produced more of a continent forged in fire than a "melting pot." Both ends of the ancient silk roads connected and made sparks.Oxford University Professor Pekka Hamalainen has written previous histories of the Lakota and Comanche nations, and I hope he continues publishing. In the meantime, his extensive footnotes and bibliography will lead me to further reading. I would love more maps and graphics in this survey. This is a book I will keep.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2024
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2024
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2024
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2023
Some surprises include how routine slavery has been throughout the continent and the world. Indigenous nations regularly hunted for captives from other indigenous nations, colonists, etc. Indigenous people had European and African slaves as well. Most European settlers paid for their passages to North America by fulfilling contracts as indentured servants. Even the Puritans participated in slave trade in the late 1600s, selling into slavery in the West Indies the indigenous Americans they captured in battles.
Colonial Georgia was managed initially by "the Georgia trustees, a group of London reformers and humanitarians" who intended a colony for ordinary European farmers and workers, a home for the destitute. "There were to be no wars, no dispossession of Native Americans, no slavery, no lawyers, and no hard liquor." The governor of Georgia negotiated for protection by the Muskogee Confederacy. Things did not quite work according to the founding vision.
Indigenous nations formed alliances and confederacies through kinship and negotiations among themselves and with colonists.
Cherokees considered an individual without kin less than a person. "Catawbas called Europeans 'Nothings,' pitiful people who lacked kin ties and did not belong." So much misunderstanding and conflict occurred throughout the early years of contact.
Entering into alliances and smoking the calumet, the colonists thought they were subjecting the natives for their kings back in Europe. At the same time the indigenous people thought the colonists were agreeing to come under their protection and become loyal subjects of the native nations.
From early conflict in ways of farming, to trading for weapons and tools and horses, the indigenous people and the colonists fumbled their way along. Treaties were made and broken, lines were held and moved, indigenous nations were demoted to "tribes" as English colonists prevailed against French colonists.
Smallpox and other diseases decimated great numbers of indigenous people, furthering the European colonial push westward to gain territory and perhaps find a magical passage to China trade.
Indigenous people fought alongside European allies against common enemies as often as against one another. And in spite of great genocidal injustices and the superior technology of colonial powers, indigenous people dominated the continent for centuries after the first European arrivals and have retained and protected their own traditions and beliefs.
The interactions of indigenous nations and Europeans and Africans produced more of a continent forged in fire than a "melting pot." Both ends of the ancient silk roads connected and made sparks.
Oxford University Professor Pekka Hamalainen has written previous histories of the Lakota and Comanche nations, and I hope he continues publishing. In the meantime, his extensive footnotes and bibliography will lead me to further reading. I would love more maps and graphics in this survey. This is a book I will keep.
400 years of North American history from 50,000 feet above it
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2023
This is a magnificent unfolding of the last 400 years in North America from the point of view of the indigenous nations there as colonists from European countries swarmed the continent seeking new homes, wealth, and LAND. It is impossible to do this book justice in a tiny space here. I waited for the paperback edition so I could make notes and underline with less guilt, because I knew it would be dense with information.Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2023
Some surprises include how routine slavery has been throughout the continent and the world. Indigenous nations regularly hunted for captives from other indigenous nations, colonists, etc. Indigenous people had European and African slaves as well. Most European settlers paid for their passages to North America by fulfilling contracts as indentured servants. Even the Puritans participated in slave trade in the late 1600s, selling into slavery in the West Indies the indigenous Americans they captured in battles.
Colonial Georgia was managed initially by "the Georgia trustees, a group of London reformers and humanitarians" who intended a colony for ordinary European farmers and workers, a home for the destitute. "There were to be no wars, no dispossession of Native Americans, no slavery, no lawyers, and no hard liquor." The governor of Georgia negotiated for protection by the Muskogee Confederacy. Things did not quite work according to the founding vision.
Indigenous nations formed alliances and confederacies through kinship and negotiations among themselves and with colonists.
Cherokees considered an individual without kin less than a person. "Catawbas called Europeans 'Nothings,' pitiful people who lacked kin ties and did not belong." So much misunderstanding and conflict occurred throughout the early years of contact.
Entering into alliances and smoking the calumet, the colonists thought they were subjecting the natives for their kings back in Europe. At the same time the indigenous people thought the colonists were agreeing to come under their protection and become loyal subjects of the native nations.
From early conflict in ways of farming, to trading for weapons and tools and horses, the indigenous people and the colonists fumbled their way along. Treaties were made and broken, lines were held and moved, indigenous nations were demoted to "tribes" as English colonists prevailed against French colonists.
Smallpox and other diseases decimated great numbers of indigenous people, furthering the European colonial push westward to gain territory and perhaps find a magical passage to China trade.
Indigenous people fought alongside European allies against common enemies as often as against one another. And in spite of great genocidal injustices and the superior technology of colonial powers, indigenous people dominated the continent for centuries after the first European arrivals and have retained and protected their own traditions and beliefs.
The interactions of indigenous nations and Europeans and Africans produced more of a continent forged in fire than a "melting pot." Both ends of the ancient silk roads connected and made sparks.
Oxford University Professor Pekka Hamalainen has written previous histories of the Lakota and Comanche nations, and I hope he continues publishing. In the meantime, his extensive footnotes and bibliography will lead me to further reading. I would love more maps and graphics in this survey. This is a book I will keep.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2023
Top reviews from other countries
Gemüsegarten
Amerika und seine indigenen Nationen
Reviewed in Germany on March 13, 2024Mr. P. Powell
An eye-opening journey through five centuries of resistance.....
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2023djh
400 pages/years of repetitive genocide wears you down
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 23, 2024