audiobook Lewis and Clark Through Indian Eyes by From Brand: Knopf in History

Review

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful. Lewis and Clark through Indian EyesBy Barney ConsidineThis is an important book. In 2001; I asked a Hidatsa woman working on the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial effort about sources concerning the Native American view of Lewis and Clark. She answered that there wasn't a source. Further; she said that no one person could write such a book. The tribes with whom Lewis and Clark made contact were different in many ways; including their forms of government and how they lived their lives. Her words were certainly true. That this book contains essays by nine authors having different tribal backgrounds is a long step in the right direction. Certainly there are tribes and bands not represented; notably; the Blackfeet Nation is missing. Further; because the editor properly chose to accept the essays "unfiltered;" the reader has to adapt from one essay to the next. However; the book is easy reading.Precisely because nine essays were necessary; it is dangerous to generalize the content of this book. Several of the authors admire the people of the Lewis and Clark Expedition but conclude that the outcome was no big deal. The European diseases preceded Lewis and Clark and the hordes of non-Indians that followed Lewis and Clark would have come anyway. Almost every tribe had significant contact or knowledge of white people prior to Lewis and Clark. They were aware of how the whites had treated Indian tribes in the eastern United States. A common theme reiterated by nearly every author is that their people have always been here and will always be here. The broken treaties; removal from homelands; lost population; distribution of reservation lands to whites; and poverty brought about by the European invaders are deplored; but the writers see hope in the Indian accomplishments and resurgence of pride during recent years.The authors of these essays are writers; historians; and tribal executives. Each identifies his or her self with a tribe or combination of tribes. However; nearly all have lived much of their lives away from the reservations and have achieved success in "white society." After considerable thought; I decided that this was the proper choice. The vast majority of non-Indians like myself are so ignorant of Indian history and thought that we need an "interpreter." Who better than someone who has stood in both camps. Be forewarned; the introduction of this book is terrible. It is inaccurate; condescending; and unnecessarily contradicts material in the essays. If you have any interest in Lewis and Clark; history; or those Americans we often call Indian; read this book. Discount the introduction and read the essays twice.26 of 26 people found the following review helpful. Seeing Lewis and Clark in a Different LightBy Jeni L.Josephy has put together a strong cast of writers representing a number of tribes that interacted with the Corps of Discovery. The writers represent the Lakota; Salish; Kootenai; Shoshone-Bannock; Crow; Cayuse; Umatilla; Nez Perce; Walla Walla; Mandan-Hidatsa; Puyallup; Coeur d'Alene; Clatsop Nehalem; and Kiowa. These essays delve into their connection with the Corps; but also migrate towards the effects of those interactions on the past; present; and the future. We learn about everything from Clark's offspring to Sacajawea's tribal affiliations to treaties; land loss; current tribal rejuvination; the 1934 Wheeler-Howard Act and much much more.Prayers; poems; family stories; legend and fact are all wound together in this quick read to give a completely different view of the Lewis and Clark expedition. How that small party of men could have such a large effect on so many peoples that continues today is quite amazing. This book is thoughtful; well put together; and a must read for anyone interested in Lewis and Clark; Native studies; and America. Proud; poignant; and insightful; a wonderful last book from a great author who will be missed.24 of 25 people found the following review helpful. Interesting; probably worth reading for LC fans; but not a great bookBy Bill StaleyIt is clear from Undaunted Courage or any version of the Journals that LC could not have survived without the constant gracious help of Indians (which is what they call themselves in this book). The painful historical irony is clear without reading the book; especially with the Nez Perce (who kept the expedition from starving when the tribe could have killed LC and taken their weapons; and who were chased out of their country a few decades later by U.S. troops). What is interesting in this book is how the various authors address this issue in the 21st century. There are passages about how the Indians must have viewed LC at the time; but not much new. Various tribes are represented; and they have their own views on Sacajawea. The concept of the book was good; and there some are very good parts; but overall it's not compelling writing or reading. If the purpose was to record these views in a book; whether compelling or not; then it serves its purpose.