American Indians of the Pacific Northwest (Men-at-Arms) [Paperback]

Elizabeth Aderkas (Author), Christa Hook (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2005 | Series: Men-at-Arms (Book 418)

The Indian tribes of the Pacific Northwest, both on the Coast and the inland Plateau, were the last to encounter white traders and settlers. When contact occured in the late 18th century the explorers and traders found two distinct cultures. The fairly recent adoption of the horse had opened the Plateau tribes to influences from the peoples of the Plains; but the tribes of the Coast presented a sharply different picture, involving rigid class hierarchies, an economy based on fishing and hunting marine animals, and frequent intertribal warfare which involved slave raiding and head hunting. This fascinating text describes the ways of life, in peace and war, of the coastal and inland peoples of this region.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Packed with specially commissioned artwork, maps and diagrams, the Men-at-Arms series is an unrivalled illustrated reference on the history, organisation, uniforms and equipment of the world's military forces, past and present.

About the Author

Elizabeth von Aderkas grew up in Trinidad and England. She received her BA from University of Manchester. A freelance writer and past contributor to Osprey Military Journal, she now lives with her husband and children in Victoria, British Columbia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (May 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841767417
• ISBN-13: 978-1841767413
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.2 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #918,942 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indians of the Pacific Northwest, March 13, 2008

By 

K. Murphy "Fortune favors the Bold" (The thriving metropolis of Masury, OH) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: American Indians of the Pacific Northwest (Men-at-Arms) (Paperback)

Like some of Osprey's previous publications on the Native Americans, this skinny book focuses on the whole of the material culture of these tribal groups, not just their military attributes. This book would be a good starting point for someone seeking to understand the history and culture of the Northwestern Tribes, or for someone looking for a deeper understanding of their material culture, their clothes, weapons, canoes, and houses.

The tribes of the Pacific Northwest, often overshadowed by the American wars of their Plains neighbors, developed a rich and colorful culture largely free from European interference until 1805. This book pertains to all the various tribal and language groupings of this region from this date until 1884, when the Canadian Government outlawed many of their rites and customs, like their famous potlatch feasts.

These tribes, at least at first, do not strike one as being as militant and fierce in temperment as some of their cousins farther south and east. Their reputation as ruthless and formidable warriors is often overlooked due to their deserved reputations as traders, craftsmen, artists, scouts, and whalers. Nonetheless, many of these tribes, especially the Tlingit (pronounced 'Klinkit'), Haida, and Kwakiutl, were as scrappy as any of the plains or desert tribes. They engaged in vengeful blood feuds, slave raids, and attacks on weaker and more peaceful neighbors. These tribes dominated their neighbors, but did not fare so well against Americans and Canadians, or especially against epidemics like smallpox. Pages 36-42 tell the story of these peoples' losing wars to free themselves of American rule.

This volume excellently illustrates the several warrior societies that existed throughout the BC, Washington, and Oregon regions, showing their bizarre and almost frightening masks and costumes. Also illustrated are chiefs, common warriors, hunters, and a number of women and children. Some rare black-and-white photos from the late 19th Century further flesh out the appearances of these noble peoples.

Overall, I think this book is essential for someone who, like me, has a casual interest in the history and culture of these particular Native American groups, and would also be highly useful for an artist, wargamer, or student of Indian costumes.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A solid, brief description of the Native American tribes of the American Northwest, May 3, 2009

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: American Indians of the Pacific Northwest (Men-at-Arms) (Paperback)

It is a significantly understated fact that there were substantial differences between the cultures of the many Native American tribes that inhabited the North American continent when the Europeans arrived. Some of these differences were due to the local environment, as some were by necessity nomadic, following the giant buffalo herds as they roamed the prairie. In the more temperate climate of the Pacific Northwest, there was plenty of locally abundant food, which led to permanent villages.

This book is about the tribes that inhabited the area that became the states of the American Northwest. Like most other tribes in North America, there was near constant ritualized warfare between the distinct tribes, a fact that the European interlopers used to great advantage when they were being conquered. Slavery was also commonly practiced, and the capture of slaves was the goal of much of the raiding parties.

The author does a good job in explaining the cultures and demise of these once powerful tribes. They hunted and fished the abundant game and managed to engage in extensive trade, even engaging in regular truces so that the different tribes could conduct their necessary business. If you are interested in a brief, general overview of the Native American tribes of the American Northwest, this book is a good place to begin.