The Wild Frontier: Atrocities During the American-Indian War from Jamestown Colony to Wounded Knee Review
Posted by
Clifford Powell
on 10/11/2011
/
Labels:
american history,
american indian history,
frontier,
history,
indian wars,
little big horn,
native american,
old west,
texas
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)
The other reviewers did a good job synopsizing the content of this very good book. I don't want to repeat them so I will note a few things that stood out for me in an effort to not be repetitive
First of all, I found "Wild Frontiers" to be a very interesting compendium of the subject matter which is documented cases of murder in the 300 years of conflict between the Native American and the encroaching stream of immigrants seeking greener pastures.
These new arrivals had goods the Native Americans were interested in after being stuck in 5000 B.C. for 6000 years. The immigrants were able to capitalize on competitions and animosities that had existed for eons between tribes. The Native Americans never seemed to unify to a point where they could effectively stop the onslaught of expansionism. So they killed, often brutally. The settlers did too but the Native Americans culture seemed to hold torture in high regard. Lots of examples are held within. No disrespect meant for the Native Americans, the torture was simply part of the culture, good or bad. Yes I know the Settlers broke every treaty ever made, and I further know it is not fair to judge the past by the mores of today. But slowly burning someone to death over the course of 4 days or cutting someones lower intestine out and tying it to a tree while you beat them so they are made to walk around the tree while they slowly unravel their large and small intestine must have hurt. It's hard not to wince a little.
I decided to read this book after reading Eckert's most excellent "Frontiersmen". It reaffirmed some of the brutality laid out in that amazing story of the Kentucky and Ohio Frontier.
I think scholars would have a hard time debunking any of the reports from this well researched book
I gave this book 4 stars because at times the writing was choppy especially when attempting to segway (sp) into a new story.
Very informative and mostly well written book that I read quickly. I recommend this book to all interested.
Click Here to see more reviews about: The Wild Frontier: Atrocities During the American-Indian War from Jamestown Colony to Wounded Knee
0 comments:
Post a Comment