Customer Reviews

The Native Americans: An Illustrated History

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A beautiful book that pleases the mind and eyes. Very authoritative and full of historical and anecdotal information relating to the Native Americans. Begins with pre-Columbus and continues through the ages to the 90's. A must read for anyone interested in Native american culture and history. The photographs and illustrations are priceless and well worth the price of the book. Add this to your history collection, younsters enjoy browsing at the wonderful prints of paintings and illustrations. An easy read whose pictures entertain and captivate the imagination.

I don't know how sound any of it is academically, but this book is worth it just for the gorgeous art - both contemporary and older. I also found the essays really interesting. Unbiased? Probably not, but definitely perspectives worth reading.

Wow! so incredible the articles/information are. I didn't realize how many pages the book contained (i didn't read the descriptions). I was trying to find children's books, and got more than what I asked for, which is great. I was able to donate it to the library at my duty station in Japan, of which they absolutely loved. There weren't many adult versions of Native American books that were in good condition; and by them receiving this book was a wonderful gift.

I bought this book because it was mentioned in a US History textbook, and I am currently interested in early native American culture. Although the pictures are beautiful, the text of the book does not follow the same chronology as other books I am now reading. However, this book is a great resource of information about all the many tribes of native Americans. The maps are especially helpful. There is a definitive bent to the tone of the book, which details how tragically the Indians were treated and betrayed time and again by whites. Without reading other more detailed books about individual Indians, it is hard to get a balanced perspective on the years of conflict between the Indians and the emigrating whites as they moved westward. It is only in hindsight that anyone can see accurately how the two cultures clashed and peaceful coexistence in America eventually became the cultural norm.Currently reading Sacajawea by Anna Lee Waldo - an excellent book. Both purchased from Amazon.com.

This beautifully illustrated book is written by several native American authors - not white history professors who learned history from other white history professors. The introduction states that "by the 17th century, more than fifty million natives ...had perished as a result of war, disease, enslavement and the careless or deliberate brutality of Europeans - history's greatest holocaust by far." Catholic Spaniards seeking Native gold for themselves, and "souls" for the church, slaughtered men, women and children who failed to convert, or lead them to treasure. After reading this, one will never admire and respect Columbus or any other Catholic Conquistadors again. It's not the early history of America we were taught in schools; no wonder - it's a shameful legacy, with a tragic ending for a beautiful people. The book in illustrated with numerous paintings, maps, drawings, watercolors, mostly by native Americans. Wonderful, enlightening reading.

book is great. recieved softcover rather than hard cover, but bookstore took care of the problem quickly and accordingly..
thanks again for a quick response..good job

I just recently purchased this book. I strongly recommend this to high school and college students who are taking a Native American History class. This book is incredible, it has alot of insite from Paleo-Indians to what is basically now going on in the Native American society. Please read this book.

Enjoyed reading this book. It provides the reader with a basic history of the competition between the native population and the incoming europeans in which they lost. Nicely written. Nicely illustrated.

Does it change my view of things on this Matter?

No.

This book has one over-riding theme repeated constantly: The White Man is always wrong and the Indian is and has always been an innocent victem. I won't list details, but the lack of objectivity and obvious implications to the promote the theme are insulting. Although the book may contain some valuable and useful facts about Native Americans and their lifestyles, it is impossible to determine how authentic any of them are due to the overt propaganda that is being constantly asserted.