The True Story of Pocahontas: The Other Side of History [Paperback]

Dr. Linwood "Little Bear" Custalow (Author), Angela L. Daniel "Silver Star" (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 16, 2007

For the first time, the true story of Pocahontas is revealed by her own people.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...fills gaping holes...with shocking clarity. The True Story of Pocahontas should be required reading for every American history class." -- Historical Novels Review, February 2008

'The True Story of Pocahontas' stands out as one of the greatest true stories of family love, dedication and tragedy. -- Indian Country Today, March 2, 2007

I highly recommend spending the little time it will take to learn about "the other side of history." -- Rose & Thorns, July 14, 2007

It is different. It is beautifully written. Acquire it, read it, then read it again. You will be well rewarded. -- The Virginia Gazette, February 28, 2007

This recollection of Pocahontas' real-life experiences should be required reading for all students of American history. -- Native Peoples, Sept/Oct, 2007

Until now, the words shared in this book were known by only a cherished few. -- Fifty Plus, April 1, 2007

From the Publisher

For the first time in 400 years, the true story of Pocahontas is revealed by her own people. This important book shares the sacred and previously unpublished oral history of the Mattaponi tribe and their memories of 17th-century Jamestown that have been passed down from generation to generation.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Fulcrum Publishing (January 16, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555916325
• ISBN-13: 978-1555916329
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #145,653 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #61 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > Native American

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Virginia teacher, September 23, 2010

By 

C. Thurber "Bibliophile" (VA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The True Story of Pocahontas: The Other Side of History (Paperback)

As listed in my title, I am a Virginia fourth-grade teacher, and my students are expected to study Virginia history. In 2008, the revised VA Standards of Learning (SOL) for Virginia Studies went into effect. These included requiring students to identify and locate the eight state-recognized tribes. This got me to thinking, "Was I teaching an accurate account of Jamestown? Or was I only passing on what the conquerors stated?" As an educator, I feel I am obligated to know the truth, and to present the truth to others. So when I discovered Dr. Linwood and Ms. Daniel's book, I was delighted at the chance to improve my own knowledge.

The Mattaponi tribe calls this a part of their sacred oral tradition. As an amateur historical storyteller, I know how the epic tales were learned and passed on. A student worked with a master of the craft, meticulously memorizing not only the words, but the tone of a tale until it was learned perfectly. Therefore, I believe that this is a true telling of the events in Jamestown. After all, knowing what we know of European settlers, is it so hard to believe that they would resort to violence and trickery to accomplish their means?

The book was well-organized and logical in its arguments. I enjoyed the chronology, the end notes with references, the rich bibliography, and the index to increase my understanding of the events. I was so impressed by the number of source documents that I am interested in perusing several of the books listed in the bibliography, to continue my research.

This is an important book, but it will not be an easy one to take. It will require an open mind, and a willingness to unlearn many of the misconceptions taught in popular culture and "history" books. Thank you, Dr. Linwood and Ms. Daniel for enlightening me. I hope to take the lessons I have learned and apply them in my classroom.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The True Story of Pocahontas: The Other Side of History, March 14, 2007

By 

Deborah Mitchell (Marianna, Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The True Story of Pocahontas: The Other Side of History (Paperback)

The book tells a "new" story to me from the standpoint of the Powhatan Indians of Virginia. I enjoyed learning of Pocahontas from the viewpoint of her ancestors. This oral history of her life was enlightening. It made me rethink how my English ancestors behaved and how they may not have been as truthful and honest to a trusting Powhatan Indian Chief, Pocahontas's father, to gain successful knowledge about planting and growing crops in the "New World." I also never knew that Pocahontas might have been kidnapped by the settlers. To learn in this book that Pocahontas may have been poisoned in England, where she died, it was very sad.

Great read!

Thanks to Dr. Custalow.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars quick read, August 22, 2010

By 

Joy Baas (Taylor, Michigan USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The True Story of Pocahontas: The Other Side of History (Paperback)

This is a depressing but more realistic view of the short life of Pocahontas. It is not a personalized account, obviously, as no one knows exactly what happened. The fact that her sister and brother-in-law spent time with her, accompanied her to England and returned, pretty much assures us that they knew more than anyone what actually did happen. So the oral history rings true. The book is filled with repetition and almost more about the author and his family than Pocahontas, but if left to just the facts as known, this would be an article or pamphlet and not a book.