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4.4 AVERAGE
4.4 AVERAGE
As I commented while I was reading, I agree with the overall thesis of this book: that the US acted as a colonizer to the Indigenous nations of North America, and perpetrated a campaign of genocide against those nations. That said, I found this book immensely frustrating in execution.
When talking about Native history specifically, Dunbar-Ortiz was quite strong. My problems with this book were twofold, both related:
-The low-key liberal antisemitism that cropped up, especially in descriptions of Israel (most notably comparing it with the Afrikaaner apartheid in South Africa, which completely disregards the very distinct historical circumstances of those two nations, and the complicated history of Israel's founding.
-The tendency to play loosely with historical fact for rhetorical force.
The description of Obama as a "typical descendant of settlers" also made me raise my eyebrows a little, considering that "mixed-race and half Kenyan" does not exactly describe the "typical settlers" Dunbar-Ortiz was referring to.
I wanted to like this book. I'm very interested in being more informed about Native American history and discussions of US usurpation of Native lands continues to be incredibly relevant - the "Indian wars" are not over. But I cannot recommend this specific book as a good place to find that information.
When talking about Native history specifically, Dunbar-Ortiz was quite strong. My problems with this book were twofold, both related:
-The low-key liberal antisemitism that cropped up, especially in descriptions of Israel (most notably comparing it with the Afrikaaner apartheid in South Africa, which completely disregards the very distinct historical circumstances of those two nations, and the complicated history of Israel's founding.
-The tendency to play loosely with historical fact for rhetorical force.
The description of Obama as a "typical descendant of settlers" also made me raise my eyebrows a little, considering that "mixed-race and half Kenyan" does not exactly describe the "typical settlers" Dunbar-Ortiz was referring to.
I wanted to like this book. I'm very interested in being more informed about Native American history and discussions of US usurpation of Native lands continues to be incredibly relevant - the "Indian wars" are not over. But I cannot recommend this specific book as a good place to find that information.
I really tried but it was too dense and too depressing at times. I'll start again when I'm in a better place of mind.
informative
sad
medium-paced
This book is such an important read. It identified recurring themes in American history, most notably the deliberate attempts at genocide by US government agents, though it covered 400 years of history in just a little more than 200 pages so many of the details of specific events were left out. I was struck reading the book by how often US officials blamed Natives for the sorts of genocidal actions undertaken by the federal government — like some weird transference occurred when white Americans warned that Native Americans would kill men, women, and children just after they slaughtered Native men, women, and children. I also appreciated the modern history of the “Red Power” movement in the 1970s and the incremental gains in respect and recognition that Native Americans have gained in US legislation like NAGPRA and on the international stage at the UN. As always with these sorts of books, I’m left wondering what I can do to right the past — thinking I need to do much more reading about how to be a good ally in indigenous struggles.
Excellent overview detailing so many things we just don't learn in this country. I found the first section the most interesting, about indigenous peoples in all of the Americas before colonization. All of it was important and sobering, but I got a little bogged down in all the war coverage.
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Too historical for me. I'm sure this is a fantastic book with a fantastic hisotry but I need escapism from reality right now. And this book mirrors what's still going on in this terrifying country.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
While I fully agree with the aims of this book, I unfortunately had to dnf due to what I perceived as unrigorous scholarly argumentation.
The author consistently doesn’t provide evidence for her claims, or when she does, cites sources centuries after the time periods her claims are talking about. For example, in a discussion on early colonialist settlers view of white skin as morally superior, she cites an 1873 hymn. How is a post-Civil War source in any way relevant to the first European settlers in America or what they thought about skin tone? In another section, downplaying the role of disease in the deaths of indigenous people, she cites west coast statistics from the 18th century to claim warfare played a bigger role than illness. Obviously, by the 18th century that would be the case. Some numbers from the 16th century would be a little bit more relevant.
Throughout the sections I read (I got around 15% of the way through the book) the author failed to provide specific examples or statistics that would prove her points. And I agree with her, for the most part!
I was also frustrated by the clunky prose. A popular nonfiction book should be accessible for a general audience, and I didn’t find her language to make a pleasurable reading experience.
Some better popular history books about early indigenous history that I’ve read are Braiding Sweetgrass, On Savage Shores, and parts of Lies My Teacher Told Me.
Maybe I just need to stop reading tertiary sources, idk
The author consistently doesn’t provide evidence for her claims, or when she does, cites sources centuries after the time periods her claims are talking about. For example, in a discussion on early colonialist settlers view of white skin as morally superior, she cites an 1873 hymn. How is a post-Civil War source in any way relevant to the first European settlers in America or what they thought about skin tone? In another section, downplaying the role of disease in the deaths of indigenous people, she cites west coast statistics from the 18th century to claim warfare played a bigger role than illness. Obviously, by the 18th century that would be the case. Some numbers from the 16th century would be a little bit more relevant.
Throughout the sections I read (I got around 15% of the way through the book) the author failed to provide specific examples or statistics that would prove her points. And I agree with her, for the most part!
I was also frustrated by the clunky prose. A popular nonfiction book should be accessible for a general audience, and I didn’t find her language to make a pleasurable reading experience.
Some better popular history books about early indigenous history that I’ve read are Braiding Sweetgrass, On Savage Shores, and parts of Lies My Teacher Told Me.
Maybe I just need to stop reading tertiary sources, idk
challenging
informative
reflective