In the beginning; North America was Indian country. But only in the beginning. After the opening act of the great national drama; Native Americans yielded to the westward rush of European settlers.Or so the story usually goes. Yet; for three centuries after Columbus; Native people controlled most of eastern North America and profoundly shaped its destiny. In Facing East from Indian Country; Daniel K. Richter keeps Native people center-stage throughout the story of the origins of the United States.Viewed from Indian country; the sixteenth century was an era in which Native people discovered Europeans and struggled to make sense of a new world. Well into the seventeenth century; the most profound challenges to Indian life came less from the arrival of a relative handful of European colonists than from the biological; economic; and environmental forces the newcomers unleashed. Drawing upon their own traditions; Indian communities reinvented themselves and carved out a place in a world dominated by transatlantic European empires. In 1776; however; when some of Britain's colonists rebelled against that imperial world; they overturned the system that had made Euro-American and Native coexistence possible. Eastern North America only ceased to be an Indian country because the revolutionaries denied the continent's first peoples a place in the nation they were creating.In rediscovering early America as Indian country; Richter employs the historian's craft to challenge cherished assumptions about times and places we thought we knew well; revealing Native American experiences at the core of the nation's birth and identity.
#14741 in Books David McCullough 1993-06-14 1993-06-14Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 2.20 x 6.12l; 3.21 #File Name: 06718692051120 pagesBiographies MemoirsAmericaPresidents
Review
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful. Fabulous!By Priscilla VirelliI have read many of David McCullough's books; only two more to go; but this one was the absolute best. He brought Truman to life for me. He made that whole era; WW! into the Korean War come alive. Every character; every scene; was like I knew exactly what he was talking about. His love of Bess and then his daughter...his protection of the privacy of his family....his loyalty...this was the best read for me and; believe me; I loved The Great Bridge and the story of the Panama Canal...Path Between the Seas....but Truman was so very special. If you have a love of history you will enjoy this book from beginning to end and don't let the length of it discourage you from starting it because it just flies by. When I finished it I felt that I had laid to rest my very best friend. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A marvelous book about one of our great American PresidentsBy Capricorn OneDavid McCullough was the best historic research novelist of our time; and "Truman" (for which he won the Pulitzer Prize); is one of his finest efforts. While the book is lengthy (as are most of McCullough's books due to his exhaustive research); it it is not a difficult read. Yes; it could have been edited a little - we are exposed to very; very many of Truman's personal family letters and personal diary and notes); in the end it remains a very readable book. I looked forward to every page. Truman was one of our lesser known Presidents; and is seldom viewed as historic; but when you think about the events that took place under his Presidency; and how his core values and straight thinking led consistently to the right decisions for our country; you will have a high regard for this prototypical Midwestern common man. His primary objective; without fail; was to think first of the common man. While an astute politician; his honesty; integrity; and dedication to do "what was best for the common man" put him above politics. A great book about a great man; and also a great President.9 of 10 people found the following review helpful. An excellent read; but too hagiographical.By Narzul PatrickI knew little about Truman and this book has been fascinating. Beyond the facts themselves; it's very well written and I've read it quickly; with sustained pleasure. As a result; it would have been more logical to give it 5 stars; instead of 4. The only reason why I didn't; is that it is a bit too much of an hagiography. If I can understand his use of the atomic bombs against Japan; I think that his decision to go beyond the 38th parallel in Korea in October 1950; was a major mistake (since then; we have seen other American presidents getting embroiled in similar wars they cannot control...). McCullough puts the main blame on MacArthur; but this is disingenuous: it is Truman who gave the green light. How many American soldiers died for; basically; nothing?
