Customer Reviews

Keeping the Circle: American Indian Identity in Eastern North Carolina, 1885-2004 (Indians of the Southeast)

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

 

 

While Oakley's text is moderately engaging and provides an interesting approach to the identity issue among Indians in the specific topics, the text, in places, is not particularly well researched. The background information contains numerous errors and misleading statements, and the citations are lacking. That is to say, some of the information discussed in the general narrative does not have a proper source. Oakley misses facts that could be easily verified, which makes the rest of the text questionable. The text does not lack value and does offer a very relevant discussion on the topic, but it is important to read it with a critical eye.

I was really excited to get to read this book, and though is it mostly well written and readability is good, the basics of research have not been held. There are several areas that should have been sourced, or more clearly sourced. A total shame and maybe if there are future editions these errors will be corrected.

Dr. Oakley presents a book that is comphrensive in nature including research and historical accounts of what is passed down orally in the Eastern Band Tribes. Having lived there for only a bit of time, he recounted some of the same stories that I had heard of Henry B. Lowry. I am soon to teach @ UNC-Pembroke and feel this is a must read for anyone inside and outside the Native American culture in Eastern North Carolina and throughout the Carolinas.

This is an excellent book for anyone searching their geneology for connections to American Indian Nations in North Carolina. It is a well written history book that is interesting to read. I have trouble putting it down and wait anxiously to pick it up again.