americas

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.

Insightful, very helpful.

I am deeply grateful to the compilers of this book.

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