Atlas of the North American Indian, Revised Edition [Paperback]

Carl Waldman (Author), Molly Braun (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2000

This comprehensive reference covers the entire history, culture, and tribal locations of the Indian peoples of the United States, Canada, and Central America, from prehistoric times to the present day. Over 100 two-color maps. Appendix.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up—An impressive and exhaustive work. Updates since the highly acclaimed 2000 edition include information on the first Native American in space and the Canadian Parliament's endorsement of the UN "Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples," and more color maps and photographs. The volume is divided into several broad subject areas, such as "Ancient Native Peoples," "Native Lifeways," "Indian Wars," "Native Land Cessions and a Changing Way of Life," and "Contemporary Native North Americans." The subject divisions follow a chronological pattern and explore Native history across the continent, in no way marginalizing Central America or Canada. The exemplary informational content is complemented by numerous maps and photographs, in both color and black and white. Numerous access points include an extensive map list and a series of appendixes, such as the "Chronology of Native Prehistory and History," "Native Nations in the United States (with Languages and Locations)," "Contemporary Canadian First Nations," and "Major Native Place-Names in the United States and Canada." The bibliography is extensive. This work stands out due to its scope and the attention given to the Canadian Native experience. The use of the word "Indian" in the title may be problematic, especially for Canadian librarians, but Waldman's preface outlines the variety of terms used for North America's first peoples and explains that they are all used throughout the book, where applicable. This visually appealing resource will be an excellent addition, even if libraries own the previous edition.—Robyn Walker, Elgin Court Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada END --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

This mistitled volume is in fact a compact yet wide-ranging account of Native American history and life illustrated with 122 maps. Waldman competently summarizes Indian prehistory, cultural patterns, contacts with Europeans, military events, and contemporary life; Braun's two-color maps successfully place all these data in geographical context. Useful appendixes include a historical chronology and lists of Native American place-names and of all tribes on the continent. A bibliography of over 200 recent items helps to overcome the inevitable limitations of a single-volume reference work. Ideal for general collections and public libraries. Michael Edmonds, State Historical Soc. of Wisconsin, Madison
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Checkmark Books; Revised edition (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816039755
• ISBN-13: 978-0816039753
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #837,998 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #48 in Books > Education & Reference > Atlases & Maps > Historical

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-Organized, Informative, and Comprehensive, January 9, 2001

By 

T. B. Vick "T.B.V." - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Atlas of the North American Indian, Revised Edition (Paperback)

I have always had an interest in the Native American history and tradition. I have bought several books in the past and been upset that they either seem to misrepresent the Indians or were too stereotypical. This book is not like that at all. In fact, this is one of the most informative, accurate and indispensable books that I have read regarding the Native American. The book covers almost every (if not every) Native American tribe known. Moreover, this book not only delineates their culture, locations, skills, history, etc., but it provides a chronology of prehistory and history of the Native American in one of the book's 7 appendices. This text provides the reader with information and facts about the ancient Indians, Geography (great maps), the art and technology, and even their clothing and transportation. This is definitely an invaluable tool for those who simply want to gain a greater understanding of Native Americans, or those who actually want to do some more serious research.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A complete and useful guide, April 9, 2006

By 

Stephen A. Haines (Ottawa, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Atlas of the North American Indian, Revised Edition (Paperback)

A good resource for any student entering the field of North American Indian studies, this book is carefully organised and rendered. Waldman traces the many facets that have been used to explain who the North American Indians were, how they lived and where. The text is clear and direct, well-suited to the novice in this area of study. The wealth of maps and other illustrative material well supports the narrative, although space restrictions force a certain level of clutter at times.

Waldman opens the book with a description of how humans arrived in the Western Hemisphere. The "Ancient Civilizations" of Mesoamerica, such as the Olmec and Maya are well summarised, before the author turns to the Southwest peoples - the Anasazi, Hohokan and Salado communities. He explains the often overlooked or poorly considered Moundbuilders of the Lower Midwest. The section on "Indian Lifeways" turns to areas like California, the Pacific Coast, and Subarcic regions. While these peoples didn't achieve the strongly hierarchical civilisations of Mesoamerica, their various social structures were complex and dynamic. Their economic systems allowed them to endure and they adapted well to change, something too often lacking in Mesoamerica. To a limited extent, the geography and environment hosting these people granted them the flexibility to maintain a dynamic society, even in precarious conditions.

One aspect of life they were poorly prepared for was the European intrusion. Waldman sets aside a section to introduce the problems introduced by European colonisation. The litany of wars and rebellions take up a hundred pages of the text. The accompanying maps showing battle sites sparkle with stars indicating clash sites. Some of these wars have almost disappeared from historical accounts of North American settlement. It's a good reminder of how the whites took over the hemisphere and what cost that hegemony extracted from the native population.

In time, war was replaced by "Land Cessions" and resettlement. The reservation system, never a fixed idea, is carefully explained by Waldman. The modern result of reservation communities and the ambivalent policies surrounding both the settlements and their populations gave rise to a new awareness among Indian people. The poor acknowledgement of Indian contributions in two world wars was but one of many irritants leading to "uprisings" at Wounded Knee and elsewhere. The author goes on to list major Indian government agencies and Indian organisations and facilities. Indian place names, often overlooked, are listed, with the modern "nation" structures for the US and Canada provided. In all, this book will be a firm base from which to expand a study of Indian circumstances for the future. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for classroom use - a real bargain, November 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Atlas of the North American Indian (Paperback)

It's actually hard, finding good books on American Indian topics that work in the classroom (I teach at a medium-sized public university). There are plenty of out-of-date books. Lots of terrible "pc" books. But few that actually convey information in an attractive and interesting fashion. This is definitely one of the latter type. The maps are clear, the illustrations accurate, and the amount of information presented is surprising. There's a tremendous amount of material packed between the covers of the "Atlas"---and it's a good deal more than a collection of maps. This is one of those books that some students---especially those planning on becoming teachers---may actually decide to keep. My own copy is well-worn from use, and often consult it to clear up questions both large and small. The best comprehensive source I've seen for this kind of money.