Native American Testimony: A Chronicle of Indian-White Relations from Prophecy to the Present, 1492-2000, Revised Edition [Paperback]

Peter Nabokov (Editor), Vine Deloria (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0140281592 | ISBN-13: 978-0140281590 | Publication Date: December 1, 1999 | Edition: Rev Sub

An updated edition of this classic collection of more than 500 years of Native American history

Revised to bring this important chronicle to the end of the millennium, anthropologist Peter Nabokov presents a history of Native American and white relations as seen though Indian eyes and told through Indian voices. Beginning with the Indians' first encounters with European explorers, traders, missionaries, settlers, and soldiers to the challenges confronting Native American culture today, Native American Testimony is a series of powerful and moving documents spanning five hundred years of interchange between the two peoples. Drawing from a wide range of sources--traditional narratives, Indian autobiographies, government transcripts, firsthand interviews, and more--Nabokov has assembled a remarkably rich and vivid collection, representing nothing less than an alternate history of North America.

* Updated with new material on Native Americans facing the twenty-first century

"A strong and moving reminder of a lost dimension in American history." --Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter Nabokov teaches in the department of World Arts and Cultures at UCLA. His books include Native American Architecture (with Robert Easton), The Architecture of Acoma Pueblo, Indian Running, and Two Leggings: The Makings of a Crow Warrior.

Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); Rev Sub edition (December 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140281592
• ISBN-13: 978-0140281590
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,340 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #85 in Books > History > Americas > Native American
  • #89 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Current Events > Civil Rights & Liberties

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VERY IMPORTANT BOOK!, June 8, 2000

By 

steven h. abbott - See all my reviews

This review is from: Native American Testimony: A Chronicle of Indian-White Relations from Prophecy to the Present, 1492-2000, Revised Edition (Paperback)

Simply an outstanding book. Peter Nabakov has collected an impressive array of first-hand testimonials of Native people in one readable and very important volume. Chapters range from prophecies of various Peoples stretching thousands of years before European contact to responses and testimonies of Native people today. Many books in this vein focus on historical 'quotable quotes,' whereas this book is far greater in both depth and breadth. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Native Peoples, Native histories and Native issues.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GIVES THE REAL STORY, July 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Native American Testimony: A Chronicle of Indian-White Relations from Prophecy to the Present, 1492-2000, Revised Edition (Paperback)

Native American Testimony is one of the best books I have ever read regarding the real history of the native peoples. It tells of the first meeting of the white man through the present. This is all from the Native American perspective. All tribes are represented throughout this book showing the different expereinces they each had with the white man. And the white mans need to change a beautiful culture. This book should be read by everyone at some point in there life, it should be mandatory within the school system as well. It shows the strength these people had to survive and how they fought for there rights. I enjoyed this book because for the first time in my life I felt I was being told the truth about the relationship of the US government and the Native Americans. Past to Present.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye Opening, April 7, 2004

By 

T. Hooper "thdizzy" (Osaka, Japan) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Native American Testimony: A Chronicle of Indian-White Relations from Prophecy to the Present, 1492-2000, Revised Edition (Paperback)

Native Americans have been fighting for ages to tell their side of the story, but they haven't been able to get through to the mainstream. In this book, Nabokov presents us the Native American perspective from prophecy to present. By reading the testimony of Native Americans themselves, we get a clear picture of their plight. This book doesn't give a detailed history of Native Americans, but rather gives us a finger on the pulse of the Native spirit.

Native Americans have lost a great deal. When Europeans first arrived in North America, they did what they could to help these new brothers, and were happy to share what they had. However, the Europeans kept on coming and they started taking what didn't belong to them. The Europeans started fencing off the native lands. They destroyed the land and the animals with their greed. The Native Americans were continually pushed off their ancestoral lands and were driven to less desirable lands. They suffered the loss of their lands, traditions, and way of life. It's important for us as Americans to examine this sad episode of our history. We should take this lesson and apply it to our lives, and think about how we treat others who are different from us. I really recommend this book to those who are interested in reading the other side of the history of our nation.