The first full account of the government-sanctioned genocide of California Indians under United States rule Between 1846 and 1873; California’s Indian population plunged from perhaps 150;000 to 30;000. Benjamin Madley is the first historian to uncover the full extent of the slaughter; the involvement of state and federal officials; the taxpayer dollars that supported the violence; indigenous resistance; who did the killing; and why the killings ended. This deeply researched book is a comprehensive and chilling history of an American genocide. Madley describes pre-contact California and precursors to the genocide before explaining how the Gold Rush stirred vigilante violence against California Indians. He narrates the rise of a state-sanctioned killing machine and the broad societal; judicial; and political support for genocide. Many participated: vigilantes; volunteer state militiamen; U.S. Army soldiers; U.S. congressmen; California governors; and others. The state and federal governments spent at least $1;700;000 on campaigns against California Indians. Besides evaluating government officials’ culpability; Madley considers why the slaughter constituted genocide and how other possible genocides within and beyond the Americas might be investigated using the methods presented in this groundbreaking book.
#534034 in Books 2011-04-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.01 x .56 x 5.27l; .60 #File Name: 0300168152248 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. REFRESHING !By Eric ChaffeeThere's a joyful and refreshing quality to this book. I really liked it; but subtracted one star as it is not lender enabled. If I could have bought the pulp edition easily here in Mexico (for a dime less!) I would be able to share a paper edition with friends. Shame on the publisher for not enabling the lending feature. Hey; I bought the book — I ought to be able to share it without giving away my $100 Kindle! As a nominal Christian heretic who no longer sits in pews (aside from funerals and weddings) and who has studied at an ivy div school; I highly recommend this book. It has stimulated my studies of scripture; and my deep appreciation for the teachings of Rabbi Jesus of Nazareth. (Thanks to Professor Harvey Cox for this appellation.)4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. An astonishingly erudite and moving exposition on the core of Orthodox JudaismBy Jeff GoldfarbProfessor Gelernter's book is an true feat of erudition and gives us a window into an extraordinary mind at the height of its powers. Not incidentally; it explores the "why" of being Jewish; as well as the how; when; where; etc. By usefully distilling the essence of Judaism via four lenses; this work helped me gain a new appreciation for the religion of my birth and the ways of our people. I would recommend this book for anyone who struggles with religion in the face of a modern world--I found it to be a true antidote to the cynical atheism and ironic detatchment that characterize our secular culture.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Andrew DoranGreat
