Customer Reviews

Through Indian Eyes: The Untold Story of Native American Peoples

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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This oversized and lavishly illustrated volume is a readable and sweeping history of the Indian societies that were disrupted and in many cases, destroyed, by the coming of the white man.

The book begins with an overview of the earliest Americans, those who crossed the land bridge between Siberia and Alaska during the last Ice Age, 12,000 to 30,000 years ago, "possibly much earlier," and, most likely, were responsible for the final extinction of the large mammals - sabre tooth tigers, mammoths, camels, giant beaver.

Using archaeological finds - temple mounds, burial sights, artifacts - many of them pictured, the editors construct details of long-gone cultures throughout the arctic and North America, from specialized hunters of the sub-arctic to the intriguing Anasazi, who built the elaborate cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon.

The narrative then moves on to better documented pre-Columbian tribes. Organized by geographic region, the book describes the tribes- some nomadic, some agricultural - giving examples of the foods they ate, the creation legends that were passed down through the generations, trading and warring customs, and technology. Many of these people welcomed the Europeans and the new trading goods they brought, but all learned that "prolonged contact with whites eventually brought terrible disruption."

Pivotal points in the struggle between natives and newcomers are depicted in brutal detail, from General John Sullivan's "scorched earth" policy against the Seneca during the American Revolution to Tecumsah's short-lived success in winning back lost territory during the War of 1812, to the Custer disaster at Little Bighorn in 1876 and the reprisals that followed.

The last section deals with modern Indians, "The Reservation Years" (universal citizenship was not granted until 1924), the racism faced by returning veterans after World War I and II, white encroachment on desirable reservation lands, the changing policy of federal Indian bureaus and the rise of Indian militancy culminating in 1973 when Indian protesters occupied Wounded Knee for two months and won national attention to their cause.

The book ends on an upbeat note, with a discussion of casino gambling that focuses on the money raised for the tribes and skims over the controversies, mentioning factional "bitter controversies," without going into detail.

While this approach holds true for many issues and incidents raised in the book, there is much here that most Americans know little about, from details of the various battles and callous government policies, to the legends, religious beliefs, medicines, foods and cultural attitudes of various tribes.

The volume's design is vivid and highly attractive. Photographs and paintings depict battles, trading scenes, ceremonies and landscapes as well as artifacts like pottery, clothing designs, amulets and sculpture. Although there are four to five illustrations on every double page, the illustrations complement rather than overwhelm the text which is readable throughout and filled with day-to-day details which capture the imagination.

While the subtitle, "The Untold Story," is not strictly accurate (much of this material appears in numerous other books) "Through Indian Eyes" is an attractive and sympathetic addition to a body of history too long ignored.

When you read this book, you will finally come to know of the tradegedy that befell our first Americans. Never before have I learned so much of the truth, that we were all somewhat aware of,but not really knowledgeable. How could this have happened to a people who existed so many centuries without disease, or lack of respect for the land. Not that their lives were without fault, as we know they did have strife among each tribe at times, but after contact with the Spaniards and the Europeans, life was never the same again. This book shows that after contact every effort was made to strip the American Indians of their culture, religion and possessions, and most precious of all their land, which in the beginning, there was no concept of ownership. The land was a gift that was shared by all to take was was needed to survive and give thanks to the Great Spirits that provided it's bounty. We still to this day have not done enough to thank the Native Amerians for their gifts of art, beautiful ledgends and spiritual beliefs. WE DID NOT ASK YOU WHITE MEN TO COME HERE. WE DO NOT WANT YOUR CIVILIZATION--WE WOULD LIVE AS OUR FATHERS DID AND THEIR FATHERS BEFORE THEM. Crazy Horse, Oglala Sioux

I love this book. I've read and re-read it countless times and it never fails to capture my attention again and again. I think it's well written and set up very nicely.

This is one of the best books I've ever read about Native American life. Plentiful pictures and illustrations add so much to the subject matter. Truly great!

Beautiful book, beautiful pictures and a world of information on Native Americans! Buy it, you'll love it!

Extemely well-done! I actually bought this in hopes of more information on various tribes, but what I serendipitiously got instead was the history of the Native American Indians in relation to colonization (not that there is plenty of culture-specific information). The photos and illustrations do more than serve their purpose in bringing the information to life. It is well-researched, well-collected, and well-organized. Plus, it looks abosolutely beautiful. I am almost tempted to say that it is biased toward Native Americans, but hey, they more than deserve it. The book goes over perspectives as well as facts and approaches as many different culture's experience as possible. Wonderful resource as well as an entertaining and informative read.

Reader's Digest produces good work when it comes to books of this kind on various subjects.

I enjoyed this book.

Well written. Nicely illustrated. A good source of information. Great for anyone who wishes a basic view on this subject.

I'm looking for a particular book and this might be it! It's very well written with lots of pictures which is a must for me. I'm a visual person so this is perfect! The dust cover had wear as was described but that's okay with me, the book itself was the important part. Thank you!

I needed the book "Through Indian Eyes" for an anthropology class I am taking, but the book is currently out of print, the college book store did not carry it. Reading assignments in the book were assigned in the first week of class, so I needed it in a flash. I went with Bordeebook, and I recieved the book in fair condition, and it arrived very quickly! I will definitely use this vendor for any future needs, and I strongly suggest that YOU give Bordeebook a shot too! Your satisfaction depends on choosing Bordeebook! --M. McCoy

This book is good but I have problems with it. It is far too generalized and doesn't contain relevant details of important events.

In 1996 I began researching Native Americans/American Indians because I was aware of Indian traits from my family tree, one on my mother's side and one on my father's side. Since then, I have learned a few things that are not mentioned in this book, which I believe are significant enough to warrant mention. They are the first official "Thanksgiving" following a massacre of the Pequot in 1637 New England and the "Trail of Death" (Potawatomi) & "Trail of Tears" (Cherokee). Both of the latter were instigated following enactment of removal laws that started in the late 1820s.

The absence of these events, for me, casts doubt on the validity of the book's claim to be "The Untold Story of Native American Peoples".

Here is a quote from one of the websites I searched.

"The first official Thanksgiving wasn't a festive gathering of Indians and Pilgrims, but rather a celebration of the massacre of 700 Pequot men, women and children, an anthropologist says."