The Indians' New World: Catawbas and their Neighbors from European Contact through the Era of Removal [Paperback]

James H. Merrell (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 039396017X | ISBN-13: 978-0393960174 | Publication Date: January 17, 1991

"A superb account of the extraordinary story of the Catawba Indians... A brilliant and thorough history of a people who have, until this book, lacked a voice." —Wilcomb E. Washburn, Smithsonian Institution, in North Carolina History Review

"This stunning history of the Catawbas—and their black and white neighbors—sets a new standard for the field. Merrell's book bristles with new insights and skilled decoding of difficult evidence. After reading this book, all those involved in teaching early American history should want to alter their perspective." —Gary B. Nash, University of California, Los Angeles

"The Indians' New World is closely argued from an astonishing amount of evidence, and it is lucidly written.... It emphasizes the ingenuity and strength of will by which the Catawbas coped with disaster and preserved their identity as a people. Only a genuine scholar and fascinating writer could have paid tribute as James Merrell has done." —Francis Jennings, Director Emeritus, D'Arey McNickle Center for the History of the American Indian, The Newberry Library

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James H. Merrell is professor of history at Northwestern University and the author of (Norton), winner of the Bancroft Prize.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (January 17, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039396017X
• ISBN-13: 978-0393960174
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #538,898 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and captivating, February 26, 2005

By 

Thomas Veil "thomasveil" (Cleveland, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Indians' New World: Catawbas and their Neighbors from European Contact through the Era of Removal (Paperback)

James Merrell's The Indians' New World, winner of the 1990 Bancroft Prize, is one of those rare books that can satisfy both the interest of historians and the general public. It is written with detail and clarity, telling a story that is fascinating and tragic.

Merrell looks in depth at the Catawba tribe in colonial and post-independence South Carolina. His work sits broadly within the new stream of books about Native Americans - emphasizing both the injuries they suffered and their numerous adaptations to changed conditions after the arrival of the Europeans. His account does a fine job of both recognizing the choices made by the Catawbas and emphasizing the magnitude of the many calamities they suffered.

The reader gets a very clear sense of just how violent the world of the Catawbas was - one major challenge they faced was raids by the Iroquois. Merrell deals subtly with their decision to ally with the colonists - showing both the benefits and costs of this choice. A poignant final chapter and epilogue charts what befell them after independence - the Catawbas retained their reservation until 1840, making them something of an exception.

When thinking about the Native American experience, most Americans think primarily of the tribes of the west. Merrell's book does much to show us the experiences of Indians in the east of the country. As a meticulously researched, well written account, it has a lot to recommend it. Both experts and newcomers to Native American history will deeply enjoy this book.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great all around reference source., June 24, 2011

By 

J. Dismukes (Cary, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Indians' New World: Catawbas and their Neighbors from European Contact through the Era of Removal (Paperback)

As a history buff, I must express how much this book has helped me... both as a historic touchstone and in understanding a culture and people who have earned a place in our nation's story... especially during its infancy.

I have been doing Colonial reenacting (1755 to 1785 period) in my native North Carolina for the past 7 years. Several years ago I decided to take on a new project in my persona portrayal at events to the public... But what should I do? In the past I have been a Ranger (at 45 I'm too old to do that now) and there are plenty of others doing militia, homesteaders and long hunters. I thought of taking on an Eastern Native persona... But I didn't want to do a Cherokee as there were so many others doing that (..and some VERY well I might add) and the Tuscarora were almost virtually non-existent as a distinct tribe by the time of the Revolution. In a moment of inspiration I happened upon a reference in a Colonial soldier's journal that mentioned the "Catawba Indian scouts" serving with Nathanial Greene's forces during the Southern campaign of the American revolution. It hit me then that no one was doing a researched and detailed presentation of these proud, important and pivotal additions to our patriot (but we call ourselves "rebel") forces.

Over the past 2 years I have been piecing together (from what little I could find) the history of the Catawba people in an effort to present an accurate and fact based first person account to present at reenactment events. I have chosen to do this not because it is easy, but because it is difficult. To that end, this book has been nothing short of inspirational. The meticulously researched wealth of details with events, tribal and family structure, clothing, housing and traditions (all referenced and documented) cannot be overstated. These people deserve to be remembered and this book has helped me tremendously in that effort.

For those interested, the Catawba tribe still exist as a recognized nation headquartered in Rock Hill, South Carolina. catawbaindian.net/content.php?title=Catawba%20History