Customer Reviews

Digger: The Tragic Fate of the California Indians from the Missions to the Gold Rush

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Jerry Stanley has written a much needed book on the California Missions and the effect they had on the lives the Native Americans of California. Stanley conducts first-rate research and carefully documents his work. A "must read" book.

I bought this book for my daughter's 4th grade class to supplement and challenge the standardized 'pablum' on the politically correct view of CA mission history. You'd be suprised how difficult it was to find an alternative history book with this perspective for grade schoolers. It's not perfect. We cherry picked relevant chapters.
It's about time more revisionist books for this time period and and grade level get published.

Jerry Stanley has written another carefully researched, thoroughly absorbing work, this time concerning the fate of the California Indians, who had to contend with both the Mission Settlement and the Gold Rush. Opening with a description of their lifestyle and culture before the impact of the white man, the book is not only an invaluable resource for the student, but also a compelling read for anyone wishing more information about this sorry time in American history.

It's past time somebody wrote a definitive study of the massacre of the California Indians but this is not it. The author means well but does not know his subject, and especially slights the perspective of today's native California peoples.