First published 2011
Calloway delivers four linked examinations of Native American experiences spanning centuries of colonial contact and forced displacement. He begins by mapping the rich diversity of indigenous societies before European contact, then investigates how Native voices contested and challenged settler colonial stories. The author dissects the roots of the 1680 Pueblo Revolt, revealing how mounting pressures between Spanish authorities and Pueblo nations sparked unified resistance. His final study chronicles Cherokee removal during the 1830s, following the court fights, political manipulation, and devastating consequences that culminated in the Trail of Tears. Throughout, Calloway insists that comprehending these historical moments demands centering Native viewpoints over European records. He shows how indigenous communities fought colonization through armed uprisings and careful diplomacy alike. The work provides readers tools for approaching Native American history as a record of resilience and active resistance rather than passive victimization.
Genres: history, non-fiction, social-justice, native-american, academic, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: centered-indigenous-perspectives, historical-resistance
Setting: Pueblo, Cherokee, Trail of Tears
Period: 1680, 1830s
Hardcover · Bedford/St. Martin's
Content warnings: colonialism