In nineteenth century paintings; the proud Indian warrior and the Scottish Highland chief appear in similar ways--colorful and wild; righteous and warlike; the last of their kind. Earlier accounts depict both as barbarians; lacking in culture and in need of civilization. By the nineteenth century; intermarriage and cultural contact between the two--described during the Seven Years' War as cousins--was such that Cree; Mohawk; Cherokee; and Salish were often spoken with Gaelic accents. In this imaginative work of imperial and tribal history; Colin Calloway examines why these two seemingly wildly disparate groups appear to have so much in common. Both Highland clans and Native American societies underwent parallel experiences on the peripheries of Britain's empire; and often encountered one another on the frontier. Indeed; Highlanders and American Indians fought; traded; and lived together. Both groups were treated as tribal peoples--remnants of a barbaric past--and eventually forced from their ancestral lands as their traditional food sources--cattle in the Highlands and bison on the Great Plains--were decimated to make way for livestock farming. In a familiar pattern; the cultures that conquered them would later romanticize the very ways of life they had destroyed. White People; Indians; and Highlanders illustrates how these groups alternately resisted and accommodated the cultural and economic assault of colonialism; before their eventual dispossession during the Highland Clearances and Indian Removals. What emerges is a finely-drawn portrait of how indigenous peoples with their own rich identities experienced cultural change; economic transformation; and demographic dislocation amidst the growing power of the British and American empires.
#615445 in Books Oxford University Press; USA 2013-08-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 5.60 x .70 x 8.60l; 1.08 #File Name: 0199662266279 pages
Review
43 of 43 people found the following review helpful. ENJOYABLE HISTORICAL DETECTIVE STORYBy vitruviusThough I lack the academic credentials to dispute any part of the author's solution to "The Mystery of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon"; I enjoyed every step of her convincing investigation; and would be interested to read any serious objections. The footnotes and bibliography support the most thorough research into every aspect of the written and archaelogical evidence. There are many figures; and some color photos; including stills from her BBC documentary of 1999; which is now available on line. Since this is a mystery apparently solved; I shall not disclose any spoilers. However; here are a couple of things not generally known outside academic circles: An analysis of samples; taken in 1935; confirmed that concrete was used by the civilization that created the Garden. Even recent books continue to state that the Romans invented concrete; when in fact they perfected the mix by adding volcanic ash; etc; and were also masters of its use underwater. The use of bronze-cast screws; explained here; and recreated in the documentary; suggests that this civilization had mastered this device hundreds of years before Archimedes; who is usually given credit. And hydraulic engineering in general was of course an essential component. This book is not "fantastic archaeology"; a speculative fantasy resting on nothing. It is a work of serious scholarship; well written for a wide audience. It belongs in every collection on archaeology and the ancient near east;and I have no reservations about placing it on my shelf with established studies in those fields.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. The Mystery of the Hanging Garden of Nineveh!By Zario ZoloThe Mystery of the Hanging Garden of Babylon by Stephanie Dally; the elusive ancient Seventh Wonder of the World; is exquisitely written and obviously scholarly; perhaps even exhaustively so; but captivating nonetheless from beginning to end; albeit the author proves that the Garden was at Nineveh by the Tigris; not Babylon by the Euphrates. Read the book and see for yourself how she works that bit of magic--backed by rational thought and scholarly detective work worthy of her credentials at the Oriental Institute of Oxford! --Zario Zolo16 of 17 people found the following review helpful. you will enjoy this bookBy Margarita AguilaAnyone can read this book. That is to say; you don't need to by an expert in archeology or history to enjoy the writing. It provides new and old evidence that challenges the encyclopedia's definition of The Hanging Garden of Babylon and its creator. The author guides you through several chapters filled with evidence ranging from Greek literature; technology; architecture and symbolism by providing plates and writings to make her point. Recommended.
