Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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