Customer Reviews

Smallpox and the American Indian (World Disasters)

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

 

 

I was annoyed that Pontiac's Rebellion was not mentioned in this book, but Diamond doesn't start talking about smallpox until the 1830s.

I think the presentation of American Indian History here is a little weird. On the timeline (page 7) are such events as A.D.476: Fall of the Roman Empire, 1096-1219: Crusades, where you're like, "And this is revelant because...?" Others either trivialize Indians or are borderline offense. ("1621 Pilgrims celebrate first Thanksgiving with Indians at Plymouth, Massachusetts, 1991: Movie Dances With Wolves engages millions of Americans in the historical plight of the Indians' treatment by US government"). Are these the events that Indians would put on a timeline of their own history?

I am surprised that SLJ calls this book fair and objective. The term "squaw" is used throughout the history whenever the author is referring to a woman, and men are "braves." Throughout the book, Indians are blamed for their own deaths, and whites are portrayed as their wise protectors. Indians died because they were stupid or greedy. To me, it was a little like Jerry Falwell or whoever it was saying that gay people got AIDS because they were sinners.

I would give this book one star, but unfortunately, there isn't a lot published on this subject that is accessible for juveniles.