Customer Reviews (2)

Interesting story, poor prose
This is an interesting book from a historical perspective, but the prose is quite stilted and, unfortunately, pretty boring.It seems that Wallace wanted so much to turn this into a Native American Jesus story (Deganawidah is born of a virgin mother, and he spreads the "Good News" of peace, for example) that he's adopted the stilted and outdated language of the Bible, leading to a pretty tedious read.An example:

"Now it shall come to pass in that Longhouse," said Deganawidah, "that the women shall possess the titles of chiefship.They shall name the chiefs.That is because thou, my Mother, wert the first to accept the Good News of Peace and Power.Henceforth thou shalt be called Jigonhsasee, New Face, for thy countenance evinces the New Mind, and thou shalt be known as the Mother of Nations."

And it goes on that way. . . it's not at all a fun or interesting read because of Wallace's choice of language, and I definitely would recommend it only to someone who's willing to wade through weak prose to get a fairly interesting story.I made it about halfway before I had to give up.The two stars are for the story; for the prose, I'd give minus one star.

Iroquois Book of Life
WHITE ROOTS OF PEACE
Iroquois Book of Life
trade paper ISBN: 0940666367
Written by Paul Wallace,
Foreword by Chief Leon Shenandoah;
Epilogue by John Mohawk;
Illustrated by John Kahionhes Fadden

22 illustrations,
156 pages,
5" x 7-1/2"
publisher: clearlightbooks.com

A faithful retelling of the epic story of Deganawidah,
the Peacemaker.
This work describes the vision and courageous efforts
leading to the creation of a political system
that provided a blueprint for the transformation of
the Thirteen Colonies into the United States of America.
A great political philosopher as well as an enlightened
spiritual master, Deganawidah created a lasting peace
based on principles of rationality and on reverence
for the Creator.
Wallace's book is the richest and most authoritative source of
the teachings of the Iroquois spiritual and political tradition,
which has preserved an unbroken lineage since the fifteenth
century (the 1400's).

All those who value Native American spirituality will welcome
this chance to encounter the living tradition of Deganawidah,
the charismatic Peacemaker, whose vision and tireless efforts
enabled the Six Nations to unite and live together in harmony.
For the modern reader this book is a source of both spiritual
guidance and political wisdom. As political philosopher and
enlightened spiritual master, Deganawidah has bequeathed
a model for peace and spiritual harmony that is especially
relevant in today's chaotic world.

EXCERPTS:

Peace was not, as they conceived it, a negative thing, the
mere absence of war or an interval between wars, to be
recognized only as the stepchild of the law;
To the Iroquois, peace was the law.
Peace (the Law) was righteousness in action,
the practice of justice between individuals and nations.

The words of the Peacemaker:
The land shall be beautiful,
the river shall have no more waves,
one may go everywhere without fear.
(from the Introduction by Chief Leon Shenandoah--Tadodaho)

Additional reading on Peace as a reflection of divine order
can be had by reading the following humble 32-page booklet
ISBN: 0895552175 (put the 10 digits in amazon.com Search).
Another source (online, for free) can be found by entering
fatima.org/essentials/requests/plan.asp and scrolling down
fatimacrusader.com/crrosnov/toccrrosnov.asp to see the List.

In anticipation of military conscription (the draft) in USA,
one could do well to PREPARE notarized statements about CO:
objector.org/coclaim.html An ounce of prevention is worth... ... Read more

Product Description
Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free.This is an OCR edition with typos.Excerpt from book:western Europe one community is known to exist, speaking a language which in its general structure manifests a near likeness to the Indian tongue. Alone of all the races of the old continent the Basques or Euskarians of northern Spain and southwestern France have a speech of that highly complex and polysynthetic character which distinguishes the American languages.This was but a likeness, but it led Mr Hale to say of western Europe: " The derivation of the American population from this source presents no serious improbability whatever." He afterward showed how the many Indian dialects might have originated about the Columbia river.According to one writer 12 letters will answer for all Iroquois sounds, though this requires the hardening of some. In this scheme we have a, e, f, h, i, k, n, o, r, s, t, w. The English missionaries used 16 for the Mohawk tongue: a, d, e, g, h, i, j, k, n, o, r, s, t, u, w, y. L is much used by the Oneidas, and R by the Mohawks, D and T, G and K, are interchangeable. Dual and plural numbers have proper prefixes in most cases. Local relations are shown by affixed particles. Adjectives may follow substantives, but more commonly coalesce. Pronouns exceed those in European languages, and verbs have three modes. The frequent differences in personal nouns are often due to the dropping of a pronoun or particle, or its addition.Chapter 2Surrounding nations. Food, houses, forts and weapons. Weaving and dress. Sepulture. Wampum. Stories and songs. Etiquette. Adoption. Orators and diplomats. Intoning and pantomime.Brief notices may here be given of some other nations with whom the Iroquois came in contact at various times, but some are sufficiently noticed elsewhere. Thus it may be enough to say of the Hurons, called Quatoghies and Agaritkas by... ... Read more

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A collection of sixteen traditional tales told by the Iroquois Indians, some featuring talking animals and some presenting terrifying flesh-eating creatures such as the Naked Bear, the Stone Coat, and the Whirlwinds. ... Read more

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Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free.This is an OCR edition with typos.Excerpt from book:CHAPTER IIITHE INDIAN TEACHER AT MONTAUK 1749-1761 The eastern extremity of Long Island, known as Montauk, has been from time immemorial a favorite resort of Indians. Its famous fishing and hunting grounds made subsistence easy, and in the season attracted the natives from a distance. Here the Montauk tribe, well known in the early history of the New England Indians, made their home. It was their privilege, about the middle of the eighteenth century, to live at large on the lands anciently possessed by the tribe, but they seemed to have a particular title to a tract west of the Great Pond, called " North Neck," and to another east of the same called " Indian Field," which now is only peppled with lonely graves. In 1741 a census was taken of these Indians, and they were reported to comprise thirty-two families and one hundred and sixty-two souls, which is about the same as a statement made by Rev. Solomon Williams to Secretary Willard ten years later.1 The prominent families had then assumed surnames such as Pharaoh, Fowler, Peter and Charles. Except in a few cases they were unable to speak the English language, and lived according to their heathen customs. Since 1741 some missionary service had been done among them at intervals by Rev. Azariah Horton, who was principally engaged with the Shinnecock Indians under the patronage of the New York correspondents of the " Society inScotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge."2 He had followed in the wake of Rev. James Davenport, already mentioned, who as minister at Southold had occasionally preached among the Indians. Mr. Horton's work declined as the years passed, notwithstanding his faithfulness, and in 1750 he was ready to surrender his field to another.iMass. Hist. Soc. Coll., I, vol. x, p. 11o. MS. Lett., July 24, 175... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Samson Occom and the Christian Indians of New England (The Iroquois and Their Neighbors)
The information in this book coupled with the History of the Indians of Connecticut by John W. De Forest will give the scholar a well-rounded look at our Native American ancestors and their trials in early colonial New England. Love touches on the many facets of history glossed over by other early historians.He adds details of the Puritan program for taming the children of the forest, and the native people's attempt to adapt to the conquerer's heavy handed sense of morality, after the Pequot War. Rev. Samson Occom was a product of the religious fervor brought to New England a century before.

A classic scholarly biography
Samson Occom And The Christian Indians Of New England is a classic scholarly biography written at turn of the century by a Congregational minister.This reissued paperback is introduced by Margaret Connell Szasz, professor of history at University of New Mexico and author of Indian Education in American Colonies 1607-1783, and editor of Between Indian and White Worlds: The Cultural Broker.She correctly categorizes Love's biography of Samson Occom as "fin de siecle, a work of its time," andshe describes Occom as an intellectual giant, a "cultural intermediary(who) strode across the cultures of his time and place (p.xv)."

Both Mohegan and Christian, Occom dazzled Euramerican contemporaries with his intellectual sermons, calm demeanor, and impassioned requests for educational support for Indian students.Crucially instrumental to the foundingof Dartmouth College, which was to be "Fro the education and instruction of Youth of the Indian Tribes in this Land in reading, writing, and all parts of Learning which shall appear necessary and expedient for civilizing and christianizing children of pagans as well as in all liberal Arts and Sciences; and also for English Youth and any Others," he nevertheless became disillusioned when his fundraising efforts were used by his partner Mr. Wheelock to be subverted for a college that served English rather than Indian students.This was to be but one of many betrayals in the life of Samson Occom.

Szasz concludes that Love, in his biography of Samson Occom "in some instances...belied his times by demonstrating a degree of understanding about Occom's world view that moved beyond mainstream attitudes toward American Indians (p. xxv)."The biography contains a valuable impetus to contrast to the present day ethnographic biographer who would theoretically present Occam more from a native viewpoint for analysis.An example would be Occam's conflicted role in 18th century Modegan society.In this and other areas, Love's Samson Occom highlights further truths to be mined for.It is a mirror of our Western emergence from Eurocentrism.

There is much to be gained from further study of Samson Occom.One additional resource suggested is The Sprit Of The New England Tribes (1986) by William Simmons.The search for cultural continuity is a valuable theme for today's ethno-historian/biographer.Samson Occom And The Christian Indians Of New England is a challenge and a piece of the puzzle that remains tantalizingly uncompleted.May it teach us to examine, question, or perhaps recraft entirely our cultural assumptions today as well.

Nancy Lorraine, Reviewer ... Read more

Product Description
A concise history of the Montaukett tribe of Long Island, bringing an important period of American Indian history vividly to life.

Although the Montaukett were among the first tribes to establish relations with the English in the seventeenth century, very little has been written about the evolution of their interaction with the settlers. John A. Strong, a noted authority on the Indians of Long Island, has written a concise history that focuses on issues of land tenure in the relations between the English and the Montaukett. Strong also explores cultural assimilation, political and social tensions, and patterns of economic dependency among the Montaukett. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Covering the first meeting and clash of cultures in the 1600's down to the modern day
Written by John A. Strong, professor emeritus of history at Southampton College of Long Island University and noted authority on the Indians of Long Island, The Montaukett Indians Of Eastern Long Island is the true story of one of the first Native American tribes to contact and establish relations with the English in the seventeenth century. Covering the first meeting and clash of cultures in the 1600's down to the modern day, The Montaukett Indians Of Eastern Long Island is a concise history that covers issues of cultural assimilation, political problems, social tensions, and recurring patterns of economic dependency among the Montaukett. A handful of black-and-white photographs and illustrations add a visual touch to this valuable contribution to Native American studies shelves, focusing on an oft- overlooked tribe that has nonetheless played a crucial role in American history.
... Read more

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The Society in Scotland for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge (SSPCK) was founded in 1709 by Scottish Lowlanders for the education of Highlanders: specifically to convert them from the Gaelic language to English, from the Episcopal faith to Presbyterianism, and from latent Jacobitism to loyalty to the crown. In a transatlantic translation of this effort, the "Scottish Society" also established itself in the New World to educate and assimilate Iroquois, Algonquin, and southeastern Native peoples.

In this first book-length examination of the SSPCK, Margaret Connell Szasz explores the origins of the Scottish Society's policies of cultural colonialism and their influence on two disparate frontiers. Drawing intriguing parallels between the treatment of Highland Scots and of Native Americans, she incorporates multiple perspectives on the cultural encounter, juxtaposing the attitudes of Highlanders and Lowlanders, English colonials and Native peoples, while giving voice to the Society's pupils and graduates, its schoolmasters, and religious leaders.

Featuring more than two dozen illustrations, Scottish Highlanders and Native Americans brims with intriguing comparisons and insights into two cultures on the cusp of modernity. It is a benchmark in emerging studies of comparative education and a major contribution to the growing literature of cross-cultural encounters. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Opening a discussion
This book is part of an early exploration of parallels between minority cultures in their experience of cultural invasion and colonialism. Education takes many forms; in self-determining cultures, native forms of education carry forward tradition and identity, but they are disrupted in colonial contexts to advance the interests of the imperial power. A simple oppositional equation, however, is complicated by the operation of culture brokers. This topic shows much promise for future research of many sorts.

Although I am not qualified to evaluate the quality of work on Native Americans, the material regarding the Scottish Highlands is seriously wanting. Few standard works and recent research on Gaelic society have been consulted, so the framework provided for understanding the context for native Gaeldom and later colonialism is flimsy. She repeats the common mistake which claims that "Sassanach" refers to Lowlanders as well as the English, for example. The cosmological and cultural background is distorted by relying overmuch on a few Hibernocentric sources of a general nature, without sufficient attention to detailed sources on Scottish Gaelic cultural history. As the author does not read Gaelic, numerous primary sources have not been consulted.

While these shortcomings limit the depth of the work, especially in pre-18th century times, I hope that it points out the potential in extending and deepening an important discussion of imperial and colonial history and taking seriously the experience and perspectives of all those involved. ... Read more

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A comprehensive reference work on the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy), containing over 200 entries covering history, present-day issues such as gambling, pollution, and taxation, and contributions which this important confederacy made to shape general North American culture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

good read, great analysis
Having read a lot of the literature on the Iroquois, i find this one of the more interesting reads.Dennis explores the Iroquois attempt to construct a system of peace.More importantly, Dennis explores the different meanings that the Iroquois, Dutuch and French placed on events and how these meanings affected their understanding of those events and their actions.History is presented as a confused cultural clash, where the participants are often scratching their heads in bewilderment, rather that the cold blooded, purposeful application of power.Dennis also presents a strong discussion of the origins of the Iroquois and the Iroquois Confederacy.

His analysis of Samuel de Champlain's first encounter with the Iroquois is specifically interesting.In that analysis, he shows how the Native Americans were following a carefully scripted form of warfare that Champlain could not comprehend though he could document it. To the Iroquois and the Algonquins, war meant something very different than what it meant to Champlain.Champlain's actions will have the long term effect of changing how the Iroquois fight wars and, therefore, their culture.

The book does have its weaknesses though.The Iroquois were a matrilineal society, yet this does not figure significantly into the analysis or discussion.I think that it was only significantly discussed when Dennis was discussing French nuns and their effect on the Frenchh-Iroquois relationships.Many authors have argued that women played a very important role in Iroquois society and its relationships with others, but we find little of that discussion here.Perhaps, a more significant exploration of the matrilineal nature of the society and how that affected the internal political dynamics may have enriched both the book and the analysis.

However, i would still recommend this book.It tells an interesting story, will enlighten most and cause many to ponder. ... Read more

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Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

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This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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Why were the Iroquois unrelentingly hostile toward the French colonists and their native allies? Examining original French and English sources, author Jose Antonio Brandao argues against the prevailing view of securing their place in the new market economy, reasoning that the Iroquois were motivated by the usual triggers of native warfare--safeguarding tribal territories, honor, and revenge . ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Why did Iroquois fight?
Brandao tries to give an answer, why did Iroquois conduct so many wars in the 17th century. He says, that the most important reasons were these: to obtain captives (mainly to replace dead), get honor, preserve security or to revenge. Very important thesis of this book is, that economic motivation (i. e. obtain furs) played only minor (and in many cases no) role in Iroquois decisions to go to war. Brandao says, that so called "Beaver wars" did not in fact exist, especially in 30's and 40's of 17th century. His argumentation is often very good but not (in some cases) absolutely persuasive, because of limitation of primary sources. I think, that book is very usefull reading for all interested in history of North America in the colonial period ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

excellent Native American research material!
Time/Life books are always high quality, interesting, well-researched books. I have had many of their series! I had just finished selling off all my books on ... so I could move 2,500 miles away as unencumbered as possible....but I just had to have this book because I only recently found out I may be of Native American descent and didn't think that there was much information on the Hurons. Here it was.....found it on Amazon....and I received it flawlessly quickly and have been glued to it ever since. I have been doing Indian research for 13 years and this is so well done I will never part with it! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Lucid and Intelligent:A Valuable Resource, even for those with no Archaeological Background
I will be the first to admit that I have no background in archaeology, to the extent that, upon cracking the cover of this fine volume, "Iroquoian Archaeology & Analytic Scale", I was apprehensive about feeling less than intelligent.I am happy to report that Laurie E. Miroff and Timothy D. Knapp, the editors, and all the contributing authors present their theses in clear, easily-understandable language, that is appropriate for the layperson as well as the scholar.

My personal favorite of the chapters is Chapter 6:The Community and the Microhousehold:Local Scales Within An Iroquoian Village, by Tracy Michaud Stutzman.Dr. Michaud-Stutzman writes a concise and interesting account of findings from Parker Farm Site, which falls within the historic Cayuga Iroquois Homeland.The information presented here is taking findings from a community level, but also on a "microhousehold" level, thereby giving a deeper and more encompassing view of Cayuga domestic activities.Included in the findings is the discovery of a sweatbath inside Longhouse 1, the very first to be discovered in any late prehistoric Cayuga Iroquois Longhouse.

I applaud all of the contributing authors, and the University of Tennessee Press for releasing such an interesting volume.I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in Iroquoian culture, and, of course, anyone with an interest in archaeology. ... Read more

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Indian Affairs in Colonial New York is a standard in the study of Indian-European relations in seventeenth-century New York. First published in 1960, it remains the only one-volume history to explore these complex relations, which profoundly affected the economy and politics of the colony. Allen W. Trelease describes the Dutch period that followed Henry Hudson's voyage in 1609 and New Netherland's dealings with the Algonquian bands of the Hudson Valley and Long Island. The second half of the book, treating the English period after 1664, emphasizes the colonists' relations with the Iroquois. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Interesting but flawed.
I picked this book up at a book vendor at the local pow wow.He had various tomes on the subject of American indians, and this one seemed to be especially interesting because it concerns my own tribe, that being the Seneca who were an adjunct to the Iroquois.

The book was written decades ago, before the reformation of what had been a uniform curriculum of historical revisionism in the study of American indians.So it's more snide inaccuracies can be discounted as mere products of their environments.One big contention is for me is the way the author tends to downplay the significance of various bands, especially the Iroquois.

His numbers seem off compared to those of more astute, contemporary books I have read.He tries to insinuate that each of the five nations had maybe a few hundred people and a "castle" or two as well as a few sporatic villages throughout their territory.Many other accounts have long since dismissed this.He also trims the origin of the Iroquois confederacy down to a time frame of maybe a hundred years or so before European encroachment.In fact the confederacy has been surmised by most scholars today as having been closer to eight hundred to a thousand years old by this time, depending on the accuracy of various astronomical eclipses that coincide with Iroquois myths and folk tales.

Perhaps the most blatent example of the author's relative misunderstanding of the fundamental culture and history of the Iroquois(and likely the other bands whom I know less about) comes when he describres the formation of the great peace.He describes a story where an adopted Mohawk takes the message of peace from east to west, ending with the Seneca who were the last to join.This is absurd, the legend itself is very clear that the last band to join was the Onondaga. And the mythological war chief Tedadaho was so wicked that he had to have the snakes combed from his hair in order to hear the message.It is pretty well established folklore, but the author of this book seems to have just kind of "winged it."

The book has it's good points of course. It accurately describes specific engagements by the Dutch, English and French colonists.Wars and policies and treaties and trade routes are fairly accurate.However the author falls victim to what was once the standard interpretation of Indian history scholarship; he presumes that the European incurssion was some kind of enlightenment for the "underdeveloped" cultures already in existence.He even mocks the observation of other scholars regarding the veracity of Iroquois "forest diplomacy," brushing it off as being chaotic and disorganized.Scholars have long since eradicated that kind of thinking as well.

All in all it is a good book for illustrating relations during that time.A good historical gem if you know what to avoid taking seriously; which in this case would mean avoiding the author's backward interpretation of events.

Must read for those knowing "Indians" of Colonial New York, Quebec, Ontario, New Jersey, Connecticut, New England, et al.
A very detailed and well-written book called "Indian Affairs in Colonial New York, The seventeenth century, by Alan W. Trelase.
all of the people you come into contact wtih who are not familiar with what you are talking about, should read this book.this is a very complicated subject you know about, that most of the poeple you deal with daily know very little about.
-M 2006-05-20-00-24 ... Read more

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Thayendanegea or Joseph Brant (1743-1807) was a Mohawk military and political leader who was closely associated with Great Britain during and after the American Revolution. He was perhaps the most well-known North American Indian of his generation. He met many of the most significant people of the age, including George Washington and King George III.

While not born into a hereditary leadership role within the Iroquois League, Brant rose to prominence thanks to his abilities and his connections to British officials. Through his sister, Molly Brant, he was associated with Sir William Johnson, the influential British Indian agent in the province of New York. During the American Revolutionary War, Brant led Mohawk and colonial Loyalists against American revolutionaries in a bitter partisan war on the New York frontier.

During the war, he was accused by the Americans of committing atrocities, charges that were later shown to be false. After the war, he relocated to Canada, where he remained a prominent leader. ... Read more