Although some have attributed the success of the Lewis and Clark expedition primarily to gunpowder and gumption; historian William R. Swagerty demonstrates in this two-volume set that adopting Indian ways of procuring; processing; and transporting food and gear was crucial to the survival of the Corps of Discovery. The Indianization of Lewis and Clark retraces the well-known trail of America’s most famous explorers as a journey into the heart of Native America—a case study of successful material adaptation and cultural borrowing.Beginning with a broad examination of regional demographics and folkways; Swagerty describes the cultural baggage and material preferences the expedition carried west in 1804. Detailing this baseline reveals which Indian influences were already part of Jeffersonian American culture; and which were progressive adaptations the Corpsmen made of Indian ways in the course of their journey. Swagerty’s exhaustive research offers detailed information on both Indian and Euro-American science; medicine; cartography; and cuisine; and on a wide range of technologies and material culture. Readers learn what the Corpsmen wore; what they ate; how they traveled; and where they slept (and with whom) before; during; and after the return.Indianization is as old as contact experiences between Native Americans and Europeans. Lewis and Clark took the process to a new level; accepting the hospitality of dozens of Native groups as they sought a navigable water route to the Pacific. This richly illustrated; interdisciplinary study provides a unique and complex portrait of the material and cultural legacy of Indian America; offering readers perspective on lessons learned but largely forgotten in the aftermath of the epic journey.
#4085260 in Books Wisconsin Historical Society Press 2002-11-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .90 x 6.00l; 1.70 #File Name: 087020338X224 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great social history book!By Li GangBased on original records and archives;the writer described an deep and lively social historical imagine in War Two. Especially; he told a brilliant story of women and grass root class;and these inspired us the victory coming from ordinary America people whether they were in battle field or they were in factories in home front.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Home Front History From Labor's PerspectiveBy James GallenWorld War II was not fought only on battlefields and the seas by soldiers and sailors; but also in factories by workers and managers. “A City at War†is the story of this home front told from the perspective of organized labor. Author Richard L. Pifer lays the background of Milwaukee’s historic industrialization and the state of its economy and workforce as well as the economic and political milieu in which it grew. Readers learn of Milwaukee’s transformation from a processor of food to a producer of steel and machinery. Pifer also explains the ongoing rivalry between the craft unions; concentrated in the A F of L and the industrial unions of the CIO. Resulting jurisdictional disputes would continue to contribute to labor unrest during the war. With its German and industrial heritage Milwaukee was unique among American cities in repeatedly election Socialist mayors.“A City At War†chronicles the role of organized labor in negotiating the agreements for overtime and work rules and organizing patriotic initiatives; such as war Bond Drives that enabled industry and labor to contribute to the war effort. I have read histories of industry’s role in providing tools need by the military; but this is the first book I have seen viewing the history from labor’s perspective. One topic the labor historian must address is labor’s record of striking while America’s sons were fighting and dying; a practice some regard as disloyal. Pifer confronts the issue head on. He demonstrates that both management and labor maintained a perspective extending into an era of peace when struggles over profits; wages and work rules would determine the success of companies and the security of workers. Pifer makes the case that strikes were fewer and of shorter duration during the war than they were before and would be after. World War II is shown as a time during which inflation was rampant; even though partially suppressed by wage and price controls. Workers endured economic hardships while struggling to make ends meet and preserve their post-war prosperity. Although focusing on Milwaukee; its experience overlapped that of many other communities. I finished this tome with a deeper understanding of the role domestic labor relations played in contributing to victory. It is essential to an understanding of the home front in World War II.I did receive a free copy of this work for reading and review.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Good topic; but not objective coverageBy A CustomerSelecting a city that offered unique dynamics for labor/management relations during World War II; Mr. Pifer makes his pro-union; pro-labor bias very clear through the entire book. Well researched and documented; very little is seen from management's viewpoint and the costs incured by business during the war. Each chapter seems to use the same phrases from beginning to end; as if there was a shortage of terminology.While the topic is well chosen; this is not an unbiased historical account. The potential for a solid piece of historial writing was there; but the mark is missed in an effort to promose a specific viewpoint.
