First Peoples: A Documentary Survey of American Indian History [Paperback]

Colin G. Calloway (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1999 | ISBN-10: 0312150032 | ISBN-13: 978-0312150037

First Peoples is the only book of its kind: a complete text with readings for the undergraduate survey course in Native American history. Written by a noted scholar and experienced textbook author, First Peoples combines documentary evidence with narrative that can anchor a course whether assigned alone or with a variety of supplements. Each chapter includes a brief narrative; primary-source documents, with headnotes and questions; and a topical picture essay.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"First Peoples is the best overview of American Indian history that I have read. The discerning selection of documents provides students with a rich array of experiences and voices. Without any hesitation, I will use this text in my survey course of American Indian history."

About the Author

Colin G. Calloway is a professor of history and Samson Occum Professor of Native American Studies at Dartmouth College. He served for two years as associate director of and editor at the D'Arcy McNickle Center for the History of the American Indian at the Newberry Library in Chicago and taught for seven years at the University of Wyoming. Professor Calloway has written many books on Native American history, including The Scratch of a Pen: 1763 and the Transformation of North America (2006); One Vast Winter Count: The Native American West Before Lewis and Clark (2003); and two books for the Bedford Series in History and Culture: Our Hearts Fell to the Ground: Plains Indians Views of How the West Was Lost (1996), and The World Turned Upside Down: Indian Voices from Early America (1994).

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

Product Details

• Paperback: 574 pages
• Publisher: Bedford/St Martins (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312150032
• ISBN-13: 978-0312150037
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,047,278 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding textbook about Native American History, August 1, 2000

By 

historyone (Republic of Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: First Peoples: A Documentary Survey of American Indian History (Paperback)

This was the textbook in my Native American History Class this summer at the University where I am persuing a History Degree with a minor in Teacher Certification. I must say that this is one of the best textbooks that I have used since I began college. The author has taken a wide and complex field of Native American (Indian) History and has effectively narrowed it to interesting and important events. This is a textbook that reads very well. The tragic story of the Native American is told with sensitivity and accuracy. From the beginning of recorded American Indian History to the tragic consequences of dealing with European Invaders-Explorers and its aftermath. The accounts of the Colonial Indians, 5 Civilized Tribes, Indian Wars to present day wounded knee, and so much more are given excellent focus to the student/reader. I highly recommend this book to any Professor who will teach Native American History.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Read, August 10, 2005

By 

raging_bear "They will know me by the tracks ... (hell) - See all my reviews

This review is from: First Peoples: A Documentary Survey of American Indian History Second Edition (Paperback)

A very effective survey of the Native tribes in America from before the whites until present times. The book provided a lot of information regarding the legal fights of the tribes over times, which I found to be very interesting. This includes governmental policies, including the gaming issues. Also, how the tribes have hung onto their culture and identity, which was equally interesting. It was interesting to read of hte mascot issue at the end of the book as well, due to the current issues dealing with them.

Calloway also includes many legal documents which give a greater insight to the happenings of the time. These documents also help to see the issues from both points of view, native and white.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative study of Native American history, April 25, 2006

By 

S. McClure - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: First Peoples: A Documentary Survey of American Indian History Second Edition (Paperback)

I just finished a class on Native American history. The use of the text "First Peoples: A Documentary Survey of American Indian History," by Calloway was very informative. I found that the book expressed the true history of the Native American people. As I read the different chapters, I found my self able to clearly picture the different events that took place. This is coming from a person who purposely saved my history requirement until my second to last class to graduate from college. I have never enjoyed history. This book really changed my views on history!