First published in 1939; McGillivray of the Creeks is a unique mix of primary and secondary sources for the study of American Indian history in the Southeast. The historian John Walton Caughey's brief but definitive biography of Creek leader Alexander McGillivray (1750-1793) is coupled with 214 letters between McGillivray and Spanish and American political officials. The volume offers distinctive firsthand insights into Creek and Euroamerican diplomacy in Georgia; Alabama; and Mississippi in the aftermath of the American Revolution as well as a glimpse into how historians have viewed the controversial Creek leader. McGillivray; the son of a famous Scottish Indian trader and a Muskogee Creek woman; was educated in Charleston; South Carolina; and; with his father's guidance; took up the mantle of negotiator for the Creek people during and after the Revolution. While much of eighteenth-century American Indian history relies on accounts written by non-Indians; the letters reprinted in this volume provide a valuable Indian perspective into Creek diplomatic negotiations with the Americans and the Spanish in the American South. Crafty and literate; McGillivray's letters reveal his willingness to play American and Spanish interests against one another. Whether he was motivated solely by a devotion to his native people or by the advancement of his own ambitions is the subject of much historical debate.
#55790 in Books Kodansha International 1992-05-15 1994-05-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.45 x 1.57 x 5.44l; 1.61 #File Name: 1568360223564 pagesGreat product!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. More fun than anything I've read for a whileBy Biffle FrenchMore fun than anything I've read for a while. The history of Russian expansion in Central Asia during the 19th century and the resulting conflict with Britain. If you've ever wondered how Kazakhstan became part of the Soviet Union then this book will give you the answer. Along the way you'll be introduced to some of the bravest; toughest and occasionally unluckiest men who ever served her Majesty. I couldn't put it down.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. One of the most enjoyable; educational and fascinating books I've read in a long; long time!By Jeff"The Great Game"; by Peter Hopkirk; is one of the most enjoyable; educational and fascinating books I've read in a long; long time. I enjoyed it so much that I'll likely be reading the remainder of Hopkirk's tomes over the next few years (of which there are quite a few). This has been on my reading list for a long time; but I wish I read it long ago. "The Great Game" is essentially a spy story played out on the Central Asia/South Asia continental area over the course of an entire century between the Russian and British Empires. It reads like the best of Cold War spy fiction. Indeed; the Great Game was the Cold War of the 19th Century - one that very few people are familiar with today; but which still echoes in importance with the current situation in Afghanistan. It is the story of many different men from both Britain and Russia; explorers and adventurers all. The overall theme is the conflict between the two Empires as they merged closer and closer to each other in Central Asia; each constantly alarmed by the moves of the other. The micro-theme; played out in each chapter; is the story of individuals who played the Great Game. Their stories are remarkable. While the book could have used more maps to follow the little known geography; I simply recommend an Atlas of Central Asia to accompany the read. I cannot recommend this book enough. You will not be disappointed!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Stories of daring from 19th-century central AsiaBy J W HuttonDuring the 19th century; Russian expansion into central Asia had the authorities in London and Calcutta worried about the safety of India; the jewel in the imperial crown. This expansion spurred surveys/intelligence-gathering missions into the remote; unmapped regions north of India where outsiders often ventured at their peril. While some of explorers succeeded and won gold medals from the Royal Geographical Society; others such as Stoddart and Conolly or Burnes met with violent ends.The book is told from the British side in a relatively neutral tone; although the Russians tended to be duplicitous; denying everything like any good schoolboy does while being; in fact; guilty as charged; but there is also an instance of chivalry when Colonel Yanov; in true bourgeois style; is all apologies for deporting Younghusband from (alleged) Russian territory. To be fair to the Russians; the various rulers of the central Asian states were probably even more devious and untrustworthy.It doesn't matter whether the story is told from the British or Russian side because it remains a fascinating tale of derring-do under frequently difficult circumstances. The British Empire seemed to have no end of highly talented officers who were quite happy to head off on missions from which there was a good chance they would not return.Although the body of the book remains unchanged from its original year of publication (1990); there is a new foreword from 2006; which looks back to the failed Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979; and the Anglo-American assault on the country in 2001. The Great Game; it seems; isn't over.
